UNIVERSITY  of  CALIPORNJ/ 

AT 

LOS  ANGELES 
LIBRARY 


MINUTES  OF  THE  COURT 

OF 

RENSSELAERSWYCK 
1648-1652 


Translated    and   edited 

by 

A.  J.  F.  VAN  LAER 
Archivist,  Division  of  Archives  and  History 


ALBANY 

THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK 
1922 


127868 


The  University  of  the  State  of  New  York 
Division  of  Archives  and  History 

December  21.  1922 

Dr.  Frank  P>  Craves  • 

President  of  the  University 

DEAR  SIR: 

I  herewith  transmit  and  recommend  for  publication  the  volume 
entitled  Minutes  of  the  Court  of  RensselaersTvycJj;,  April  2,  1 648 
to  April  15,  1652,  translated  and  edited  by  A.  J.  F.  van  Laer, 
Archivist  of  the  Division  of  Archives  and  History. 

In  point  of  view  of  date  this  volume  precedes  the  Minutes  of 
the  Court  of  Fort  Orange  and  Bevertv^cJf  already  published. 
Reference  to  the  preface  by  the  translator  and  editor  will  show 
the  position  which  these  minutes  occupy  in  relation  to  the  previous 
publication.  Their  importance  in  giving  a  picture  of  the  legal, 
institutional  and  economic  conditions  of  the  time  has  already  been 
called  to  your  attention  in  the  volume  to  which  reference  has 
been  made. 

Very  truly  yours 

JAMES  SULLIVAN 

State  Historian  and  Director 

Approved  for  publication 

FRANK  P.  GRAVES, 

President  of  the  University  and 

Commissioner  of  Education 

15] 


PREFACE 

The  court  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  whose  minutes 
for  1648—1652  are  published  herewith,  formed  from  an  early 
date  an  important  part  of  the  judicial  organization  of  the 
province  of  New  Netherland.  The  court  was  erected  by 
Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer  by  virtue  of  the  power  conferred  upon 
him  by  the  charter  of  Freedoms  and  Exemptions  of  1 629,  which 
provided  that  members  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  who 
within  four  years  after  giving  notice  to  the  company  should 
plant  in  New  Netherland  a  colony  of  fifty  adults  should  be 
acknowledged  as  patroons  and  should  hold  their  land  from  the 
company  as  a  perpetual  fief  of  inheritance,  with  "  high,  middle 
and  low  jurisdiction."  By  these  terms  the  patroons  were 
authorized  to  administer  civil  and  criminal  justice,  in  person  or 
by  deputy,  within  the  limits  of  their  respective  colonies  and  to 
erect  courts  whose  jurisdiction  should  extend  to  matters  affecting 
life  and  limb,  although  article  20  of  the  charter  provided  that 
from  all  judgments  given  by  the  courts  of  the  patroons  above  50 
guilders  there  should  be  appeal  to  the  director  general  and 
council  of  New  Netherland.1 

The  first  step  to  organize  a  court  in  the  colony  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck was  taken  by  the  patroon  on  July  1,  1632,  when  he 
appointed  Rutger  Hendricksz  van  Soest  schout  and  empowered 
him  to  administer  the  oath  of  schepen  to  Roelof  Jansz  van 


1  This  appeal  applied  only  to  judgments  in  civil  cases.  According 
to  the  Dutch  criminal  procedure  of  that  period,  conviction  was  had  only 
upon  confession  by  the  criminal,  extorted  by  torture,  if  necessary.  From 
sentences  rendered  upon  such  conviction  there  was  no  appeal.  The 
right  of  appeal  was  largely  nullified  by  a  pledge  which  the  patroon 
exacted  from  the  colonists  not  to  appeal  to  the  supreme  court  of  New 
Netherland.  Kieft  and  afterwards  also  Stuyvesant  held  that  this  was 
an  infringement  of  the  charter,  but  the  patroon,  in  a  letter  to  Kieft, 
dated  May  29,  1 640,  maintained  that  a  clause  to  that  effect  was 
inserted  in  the  contracts  with  the  colonists  merely  for  the  purpose  of 
preventing  them  from  wasting  their  time  and  money  in  needless  litigation. 
See  Van  Rensselaer  Bowier  Mss,  p.  476,  and  Doc.  rel.  to  Col,  Hist, 
N.  7.,  1 :423. 

7] 


8  Colony  of 

Master-land,  Gerrit  Theusz  de  Reus,  Maryn  Adriaensz,  Brant 
Peelen  and  Laurens  Laurensz,  all  of  whom,  with  the  exception 
of  de  Reus,  were  then  residing  in  the  colony.  The  patroon  issued 
instructions  for  the  schout  and  schepens  on  July  20,  1632,  and 
sent  these  to  the  colony  by  his  nephew  Wouter  van  Twiller,  the 
newly  appointed  director  general  of  New  Netherland,  who  also 
took  with  him  a  silver  plated  rapier  with  baldric  and  a  hat  with 
plumes  for  the  schout,  and  black  hats  with  silver  bands  for  the 
schepens. 

Van  Twiller  sailed  from  the  island  of  Texel,  on  the  ship 
"  Soutberg,"  shortly  after  July  27,  1 632,  and  arrived  at  New 
Amsterdam  in  April  of  the  following  year.  He  had  with  him 
a  power  of  attorney  from  Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer  to  administer 
the  oath  of  schout  to  Rutger  Hendricksz  van  Soest,  but  as  far 
as  can  be  judged  from  the  meager  information  that  is  available 
did  not  administer  the  oath. 

Conditions,  just  then,  were  not  favorable  for  the  erection  of  a 
court  in  the  colony.  Differences  had  arisen  in  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  in  regard  to  the  fur 
trade  and  efforts  were  made  by  those  who  were  opposed  to  the 
agricultural  colonization  of  New  Netherland  to  deprive  the 
patroons  of  the  privileges  granted  to  them  by  the  charter  of 
Freedoms  and  Exemptions.  Van  Rensselaer  complains  of  this 
in  a  memorial  presented  by  him  to  the  Assembly  of  the  XIX  on 
November  25,  1633,1  in  which  he  makes  the  statement  that  in 
July,  1632,  he  had  people  and  animals  enough  to  start  five  farms, 
but  that  his  efforts  were  frustrated  because  the  Company  refused 
to  let  him  have  carpenters,  smiths  and  other  mechanics  and  also 
declined  to  furnish  his  people  with  supplies,  in  exchange  for  grain 
and  dairy  products. 

Taking  this  statement  in  connection  with  the  facts  that  Rutger 
Hendricksz'  term  of  service  as  a  farmer  was  about  to  expire  and 
that  his  name  does  not  appear  in  the  records  of  the  colony  after 
1634,  it  seems  safe  to  conclude  that  when  Van  Twiller  arrived 


1  Van  Rensselaer  Bowier  Mss,  p.  235—50. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  9 

in  New  Netherland  Rutger  Hendricksz  had  determined  to  leave 
the  colony  and  declined  to  accept  the  position  of  schoiit. 

Van  Twiller  wrote  to  the  patroon  and  recommended  Brant 
Aertsz  van  Slichtenhorst  for  the  post,1  but  before  his  letter  was 
received  the  patroon  had  already  made  other  arrangements  and 
entered  into  a  contract  with  Jacob  Albertsz  Planck,  whereby  the 
latter  was  engaged  as  schout  for  the  period  of  three  years. 
Planck  received  his  instructions  on  April  27,  1634,  and  soon 
after  sailed  for  the  colony,  where  he  arrived  on  or  just  before 
the  1 2th  of  August.  His  instructions  provided  that  on  his  arnval 
in  New  Netherland  he  was  to  present  himself  before  Director 
Van  Twiller  and  to  request  him  to  administer  to  him  the  oath 
of  office  "  instead  of  to  Rutger  Henrickssz,  according  to  previous 
power  of  attorney  "  and,  furthermore,  that  at  the  first  oppor- 
tunity he  was  to  choose  three  schepens  from  among  the  fittest  of 
the  colonists,  so  that  he  could  hold  court  if  need  be.  Presumably, 
therefore,  the  court  of  the  colony  was  first  organized  shortly  after 
August  12,  1634. 

The  court  as  then  constituted  corresponded  to  the  usual  courts 
of  schout  and  schepens  as  they  at  that  time  existed  in  most  of 
the  manors  of  the  Netherlands.  It  was  evidently  intended  to  be 
a  court  of  limited  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction,  for  the  patroon, 
in  a  letter  to  Wouter  van  Twiller,  dated  April  23,  1634,  dis- 
tinctly states  that  Michiel  Pauw,  in  his  colony  of  Pavonia,  calls 
Cornelis  van  Vorst  his  "  chief  officer,"  but  that  for  his  own 
reasons  he  desires  that  "  Jacob  Planck  shall  as  yet  not  be  other- 
wise entitled  than  as  officer,"  thereby  indicating,  it  seems,  that 
he  was  not  to  have  the  rank  of  a  city  schout,  or  the  presiding 
officer  of  a  superior  court  having  power  to  inflict  capital  punish- 
ment.2 


1  Van  Rensselaer  Bowler  Mss,  p.  281 . 

2Wassenaer,  under  date  of  November  1626,  speaking  of  the  court 
at  Manhattan  as  at  first  established  by  Minuit,  says :  "  The  council 
there  administers  justice  in  criminal  matters  as  far  as  imposing  fines, 
but  not  as  far  as  corporal  punishment.  Should  it  happen  that  any  one 
deserves  that,  he  must  be  sent  to  Holland  with  his  sentence."  J.  F. 
Jameson,  Narratives  of  New  Netherland,  p.  84. 


10  Colony  of 

Planck  not  only  held  the  position  of  schout,  but  also  that  of 
commies,  or  trading  agent  and  administrative  officer  of  the 
colony.  His  services  were  not  satisfactory,  so  that  at  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term,  in  August  1637,  he  was  not  reappointed.  The 
patroon,  however,  had  difficulty  in  finding  a  suitable  successor 
and  requested  Planck  to  remain  until  the  arrival  of  Arent  van 
Curler,  who  was  sent  out  as  -his  assistant  in  the  latter  part  of 
December  of  that  year.  Planck  was  back  in  Holland  in  August 
1 639,  and  probably  left  the  colony  shortly  after  May  1 2th,  when 
the  patroon  wrote  to  Director  General  Kieft:  "  I  am  negotiating 
about  sending  some  people  of  capacity  to  my  colony,  but  they 
were  not  able  to  make  up  their  minds  so  quickly  and  to  get  ready, 
and  in  the  former  officer,  Jacob  Planck,  I  do  not  find  a  proper 
manager.  He  knows  more  about  trading  furs,  which  have  been 
of  greater  profit  to  him  than  to  me ;  however,  I  wish  to  part  with 
him  in  friendship  and  not  to  give  the  least  occasion  for  dissatis- 
faction among  my  people,  for  they  stir  one  another  up."  Having 
failed  to  find  a  successor  to  Planck,  the  patroon,  the  same  day, 
entrusted  the  administration  of  justice  and  the  general  manage- 
ment of  the  colony  to  three  gecommitteerden,  or  commissioners, 
namely,  Arent  van  Curler,  Pieter  Cornelisz  van  Munnickendam 
and  Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Breuckelen.  Of  these,  the  first  was 
made  secretary  and  bookkeeper  of  the  colony  and  until  further 
order  was  also  to  act  as  officer  and  commies,  the  second  was 
made  receiver  of  tithes  and  supercargo  of  the  vessel,  and  the 
third  was  appointed  the  patroon's  voorspraecfye,  or  attorney,  to 
defend  his  interests.  These  three  commissioners  managed  the 
affairs  of  the  colony  until  the  arrival  of  Adriaen  van  der  Donck, 
who  was  commissioned  officer  of  justice  on  May  13,  1 641 .  Just 
how  long  Van  der  Donck  held  the  post  of  officer  is  not  known. 
He  arrived  in  the  colony  in  August  1641,  and  like  Planck  and 
other  officials  of  the  colony  was  probably  appointed  for  a  period 
of  three  years,  so  that  his  term  of  office  would  seem  to  have  ex- 
pired in  August  1 644. 1 

1  Cf.  Doc.  rd.  to  Col  Hist.  N.  Y.  1 :431,  532-33. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  1 1 

Just  about  this  time  word  must  have  reached  the  colony  of  the 
death  of  the  patroon.  An  entry  in  the  minutes  of  the  director 
general  and  council  of  New  Netherland  under  date  of  August  8, 
1 644,1  in  which  reference  is  made  to  "  the  heirs  of  Mr  Renselaer, 
deceased,"  shows,  namely,  that  Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer  died,  not 
in  1646,  as  stated  by  O'Callaghan,  Brodhead  and  all  other 
writers,  but  some  time  prior  to  August  1644,  and  perhaps  as 
early  as  the  fall  of  1643,  when  the  patroon's  letters  to  the  colony, 
published  in  the  Van  Rensselaer  BoTvier  Manuscripts,  ceased. 

The  patroon's  estate  and  title  now  descended  to  his  eldest  son, 
Johannes,  who,  being  a  minor,  was  with  his  property  placed 
under  the  guardianship  of  his  uncle  Johan  van  Wely  and  his 
cousin  Wouter  van  Twiller.  Upon  these  guardians,  therefore, 
devolved  the  duty  of  appointing  a  successor  to  Van  der  Donck. 
The  latter  had  been  lax  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  so  that 
many  abuses  had  sprung  up  in  the  colony  and  a  firmer  hand  was 
needed  in  dealing  with  the  colonists.  The  man  chosen  for  this 
purpose  was  Brant  Aertsz  van  Slichtenhorst,  the  same  person 
who  in  1633  had  been  recommended  by  Van  Twiller  for  the 
position  of  schout  of  the  colony. 

Van  Slichtenhorst  was  appointed  director  of  the  colony  on 
November  10,  1646,  but  before  this  appointment  was  made, 
Van  der  Donck  had  already  left  the  colony  and  Nicolaes  Coorn, 
the  commander  of  Rensselaers-Steyn,  a  small  fort  on  Beeren 
Island,  at  the  southern  entrance  to  the  colony,  had  taken  his 
place.  Coorn  acted  as  officer  of  the  colony  until  Van  Slichten- 
horst's  arrival  in  March  1648,  but  was  then  given  the  title  of 
Offrcier  Luytenant,  or  deputy  sheriff,  and  made  Van  Slichten- 
horst's  assistant,  in  which  capacity  he  was  soon  succeeded  by  the 
1  alter 's  nephew,  Gerrit  van  Wenckum. 

Of  the  records  of  the  court,  from  its  organization  in  1634  to 
the  end  of  Nicolaes  Coorn's  term  as  officer,  nothing  has  been 
preserved  and  little  is  known  of  what  actually  happened  in  the 


*Nev>  York  Colonial  Mss,  4:99. 


12  Colony  of  Rensselaer  sTvycfy 

colony  beyond  what  may  be  gathered  from  the  patroon's  corre- 
spondence, which  stops  in  1643. 

Several  facts,  however,  are  known  which  show,  not  only  that 
court  was  held  between  1 643  and  1 648,  but  that  during  or  even 
before  this  period  the  court  had  ceased  to  be  a  court  of  limited 
civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction.  One  of  these  facts  is  that  on 
February  4,  1644,  and  again  on  August  28,  1647,  sentence  of 
banishment  was  pronounced  on  Willem  Jeuriaensz ;  another,  that 
on  August  13,  1644,  a  similar  sentence  was  pronounced  on 
Adriaen  Willemsz;  and  still  another  that,  apparently  in  1646, 
Wolf  Nyssen,  a  native  of  Fulda,  in  Hessen,1  was  executed  for 
a  crime  which  is  not  mentioned  in  the  accounts.  This  execution 
is  the  only  case  of  capital  punishment  in  the  colony  of  which  we 
have  any  record.  The  sentence  was  carried  out  by  a  negro 
named  Jan,  who  received  38  guilders  for  the  task.  The  name 
of  the  negro  does  not  appear  in  the  account  books  of  the  colony 
except  under  the  date  mentioned  above.  It  is  probable  that  he 
was  a  slave  belonging  to  the  Company,  who  had  been  hired  for 
the  special  purpose,  for  on  March  9,  1643,  in  connection  with 
the  arrest  of  refractory  colonists,  the  patroon  wrote  to  Van  der 
Donck :  **  I  am  almost  thinking  of  asking  some  of  the  negroes 
(with  consent  of  the  honorable  Director  Kieft)  or  even  to  employ 
for  your  assistance  some  Indian  of  good  courage  and  obedience 
who  would  then  also  be  of  service  to  you  in  other  things." 

Van  Slichtenhorst,  as  already  stated,  was  appointed  on 
November  1 0,  1 646.  He  received  his  instructions  and  took  the 


Vol  in  Hessenlant;"  N  Y.  Col.  Mss,  2:61  a;  3:1  35a.  Cf. 
Van  Rensselaer  Boivier  Mss,  p.  830,  where  "  t'Stift "  has  been  inter- 
preted erroneously  as  referring  to  the  Sticht,  or  bishopric  of  Utrecht. 

2  Van  Rensselaer  Bo&ier  Mss,  p.  642.  September  27,  1646,  a  slave 
named  Jan  Francisco,  the  younger,  was  manumitted  by  the  director  gen- 
eral and  council  of  New  Netherland  at  the  request  of  Domine  Mega- 
polensis.  This  may  have  been  the  negro  who  was  employed  to  carry 
out  the  sentence  in  the  colony.  See  Laws  and  Ordinances  of  New 
Netherland,  p.  60. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  13 

oath  of  office  on  September  4,  1647,1  and  on  the  26th  of  the 
same  month  sailed  for  his  post.  He  landed  in  Virginia  on 
December  1 2th,  thence  proceeded  by  another  ship  to  Manhattan, 
which  he  reached  on  February  7,  1648,  and  finally  arrived  in 
the  colony  on  March  22d.  Van  Slichtenhorst  was  then  59  years 
of  age.2  He  was  born  at  Nykerck,  in  the  province  of  Gelder- 
land,  where  his  ancestral  estate,  known  as  the  Aert-Brantsgoed, 
extending  on  both  sides  of  the  Slichtenhorst  road,  adjoined  the 
property  of  the  Van  Twillers  and  was  situated  not  far  from  Cor- 
laer,  the  original  seat  of  the  Van  Curlers.  Thus,  long  before  his 
coming  to  New  Netherland,  he  must  have  been  well  acquainted 
with  both  Wouter  van  Twiller  and  Arent  van  Curler,  the  latter 
of  whom  was  at  the  time  of  his  appointment  in  Holland  and 
returned  with  him  to  New  Netherland. 

Van  Slichtenhorst  married  early  in  January  1614,  at  Nykerck, 
Aeltje  van  Wenckum,  a  distant  relative  of  Kiliaen  van  Rens- 
selaer,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children,  namely,  four  sons  and 
five  daughters,  of  whom  Arend,  the  historian  of  Gelderland,  and 
a  daughter  Goudje,  or  Hillegonda,  remained  in  Holland.  A 
younger  daughter,  Margaret,  and  his  son  Gerrit 3  accompanied 
him  to  New  Netherland,  and  the  other  children  died  young.  He 
was  a  deacon  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  at  Nykerck  from 


1  For  abstracts  of  Van  Slichtenhorst's  commission  and  instructions  and 
the  form  of  the  oath,  see  G.  Beernink,  De  Ceschiedschrijver  en  Rechts- 
geleerde  Dr.  Arend  van  Slichienhorst  en  zijn  vader  Brant  van  Slichten- 
horst, Stichter  van  Albany,  Hoofdstad  van  den  Staat  New-York  (Werken 
uitgegeven    door    de    Vereeniging    Gelre,    No.     12),    Arnhem,     1916, 
p.    155-64. 

2  According  to   Mr   Beernink,   Van  Slichtenhorst  was  on  January    1 , 
1656  more  than  67  years  old,   and  in    1664,   76  years  of  age.     See 
his  biography,  p.   216,  255. 

3  Gerrit  van  Slichtenhorst  married  Aeltje  Lansing.     He  had  a  daughter 
Aeltje,   or   Alida,   born   at   Beverwyck,   who   married,   first,   Gerrit  van 
Schaick,     and    secondly,     Pieter    Davidz    Schuyler.        In  O'Callaghan, 
History  of  New  Netherland,   2:69,  this  daughter  Aeltje  is  erroneously 
given  as  a  daughter  of  Brant  Aertsz  van  Slichtenhorst.      Margaret,  or 
Grietje,  van  Slichtenhorst  became  the  wife  of  Philip  Pietersz  Schuyler. 
Cf.  G.  W,  Schuyler,  Colonial  New  York,  1  : 1  79,  and  also  1:171,  where 
Arent  van  Slichtenhorst  is  erroneously  called  Brant  Aertsz  van  Slichtea- 
horst's  brother. 


14  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvyck 

1619  to  1622,  and  from  1621  to  1627  was  subcollector  at  the 
same  place  for  Joncker  Carel  Bentinck  ten  Berencamp,  one  of 
the  representatives  of  the  nobility  of  the  district  of  the  Veluwe, 
who  held  the  lucrative  office  of  collector  or  receiver. 

Van  Slichtenhorst's  name  first  appears  in  connection  with  New 
Netherland  under  date  of  June  25,  1 632,  when  he  was  appointed 
commissary  of  stores  by  the  Amsterdam  Chamber  of  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company.1  He  was  to  sail  in  that  capacity  to  New 
Netherland  in  the  company  of  Director  Wouter  van  Twiller, 
but  was  unexpectedly  detained  by  his  former  employer,  Bentinck, 
owing  to  a  litigation  in  which  the  latter  was  involved  with  the 
inhabitants  of  Nykerck.  Having,  in  view  of  his  appointment, 
already  disposed  of  his  property  at  Nykerck,  Van  Slichtenhorst 
first  removed  to  Harderwyck,2  where  his  son  Arend  attended  the 
university,  but  soon  after  changed  his  residence  to  the  city  of 
Amersfoort,  where  from  1636  to  1644  he  held  the  position  of 
lieutenant  schout,  and  where  he  remained  until  his  departure  for 
New  Netherland  in  1 647.  Before  coming  to  New  Netherland, 
therefore,  Van  Slichtenhorst  had  considerable  experience,  both 
as  an  administrative  officer  and  as  deputy  schout. 

His  contract  with  the  guardians  of  the  young  patroon  provided 
that  he  was  to  hold  the  positions  of  hoofd-officier  and  director  of 
the  colony  for  the  period  of  three  years  from  the  date  of  his 
arrival  in  the  colony.  As  hoofd-officier,  he  was  to  preside  over 
the  court,  to  act  as  public  prosecutor  and  to  perform  the  com- 
bined duties  of  a  modern  sheriff  and  chief  of  police.  As  director, 
he  was  the  chief  administrative  officer  of  the  colony  and  as  such 
was  to  collect  the  patroon's  revenues  derived  from  farms,  mills, 
licenses  to  trade,  etc.,  of  which  he  was  to  render  a  strict  account, 


1  For  a  facsimile  of  this  commission  and  a  printed  copy  of  the  text, 
see  Beernink,  p.  69,  77. 

2  Mr  Beernink,  p.  83,  states  that  the  principal  street  at  Harderwyck, 
called  the  Donkerstraat,  was  on  account  of  its  many  prominent  residents 
dubbed  the  Jonkerstraat.      It  is  not  unlikely   that  the   Jonker  straet   at 
Beverwyck,  or  Albany,   afterwards  corrupted  to  Yonker  street,  derived 
its  name  from  this  nickname  of  the  corresponding  street  at  Harderwyck. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  15 

with  the  understanding,  however,  that  he  was  not  to  engage  in 
the  fur  trade,  or  to  act  as  commies.  For  the  performance  of 
these  various  duties  he  was  to  receive  a  salary  of  900  guilders  a 
year,  of  which  150  guilders  were  to  be  paid  in  Holland  to  his 
daughter  Hillegonda,  who  shortly  after  his  departure  married  at 
Nykerck  Pieter  van  der  Schuer.  In  addition  to  this  salary,  Van 
Slichtenhorst  was  to  receive  one  third  of  the  fines  and  the  pro- 
ceeds from  confiscated  property,  above  the  amount  of  ten  guil- 
ders ;  below  that  amount,  he  was  to  have  the  entire  sum,  provided 
that  one  half  was  to  go  the  deputy  schout.  As  a  third  source  of 
income,  he  was  to  have  the  toepachten,  or  fees  paid  in  addition 
to  the  annual  rent  and  tithes  of  the  farms. 

The  contract  further  provided  that  with  his  daughter  Mar- 
garet, his  son  Gerrit,  and  his  nephew  Gerrit  van  Wenckum,  the 
director  was  to  enjoy  free  passage  and  board  to  New  Nether- 
land  l  and  that  in  addition  he  should  receive  1 50  guilders  for 
moving  expenses.  After  his  arrival  in  the  colony,  he  was  to 
have,  rent  free,  the  house  and  garden  formerly  occupied  by  the 
commies,  Arent  van  Curler,  and,  furthermore,  four  cows  and 
two  horses  on  shares,  8  acres  of  plowed  land  and  as  much  pasture 
as  was  needed  for  the  horses  and  cattle.  Finally,  he  was  to 
receive  5  per  cent  of  the  profits  of  the  trade  which  the  guardians 
expected  to  carry  on  between  Amsterdam  and  New  Nether  land, 
but  in  regard  to  which  they  at  that  time  did  not  wish  to  commit 
themselves  definitely. 

Van  Slichtenhorst's  instructions,  dated  September  4,  1647, 
consisted  of  24  articles.  They  provided  in  substance  that  upon 
his  arrival  at  the  island  of  Manhattan  he  was  to  present  his 
respects  to  the  director  general  and  deliver  to  him  a  letter  from 
the  guardians  of  the  patroon.  At  the  first  opportunity  he  was 
to  proceed  to  the  colony,  call  upon  Domine  Megapolensis,  make 
known  his  official  capacity  and  ask  his  advice  in  regard  to  the 


1  Van  Slichtenhorst's  wife  died  before  January  1,  1645,  and  there- 
fore did  not  accompany  him  to  New  Netherland.  See  Beernink, 
p.  119. 


16  Colony  of  Rensselaerswycfy 

administration  and  redress  of  the  colony.  He  was  then  to  present 
his  commission  to  the  council,  thank  the  members  for  their  serv- 
ices and  summon  Anthony  de  Hooges  and  Abraham  Staets,  in 
order  to  notify  them  of  their  appointment  as  gecommitteerden  by 
the  patroon.  He  was  furthermore  to  make  regulations  for  the 
proper  observance  of  the  "  Sabbath  of  the  New  Testament,"  to 
enforce  the  contracts  and  the  ordinances,  to  collect  the  revenues, 
and  to  attend  to  the  proper  administration  of  justice,  taking  care 
not  to  keep  persons  for  a  long  time  in  detention  at  the  expense  of 
the  colony,  but  to  bring  them  speedily  to  trial  and,  whenever 
required,  to  inform  the  court  of  the  names  of  the  persons  who 
were  in  custody  and  the  cause  of  their  arrest. 

The  court  as  organized  by  Van  Slichtenhorst  consisted  at  first 
of  four  and  afterwards  of  five  persons,  of  whom  two  were  desig- 
nated as  gecommitteerden,  or  commissioners,  and  two,  or  after- 
wards three,  are  in  the  record  indiscriminately  referred  to  as 
raden,  raetspersonen,  gerechtspersonen,  or  rechtsvrienden.  The 
duties  of  the  gecommitteerden  were  primarily  of  an  administrative 
nature,  while  those  of  the  raden,  contrary  to  what  one  might 
expect  from  the  title,  seem  to  have  been  chiefly  judicial.  The 
gecommitteerden  represented  the  patroon  and  acted  under  definite 
instructions  from  the  guardians.  The  raden,  on  the  other  hand, 
were  appointed  by  the  director,  but  represented  the  colonists,  it 
being  at  that  time  held  sufficient  if  persons  who  were  to  represent 
others  were  chosen  from  among  them,  so  as  to  represent  their 
class.  The  only  requirement  was  that  they  should  not  be  in  the 
patroon's  service.  Goossen  Gerritsz  made  a  point  of  this  on 
October  22,  1648,  when  as  one  of  the  reasons  for  his  being 
unable  to  accept  the  office  of  gerechtspersoon  he  stated  that  he 
was  "  not  yet  on  a  free  basis  with  the  patroon."  The  objection, 
however,  was  overruled,  so  that  he  was  obliged  to  serve. 

The  members  of  the  court  were  as  a  rule  chosen  from  among 
the  most  prominent  residents  of  the  colony.  De  Hooges,  one  of 
the  first  commissioners,  had  been  sent  out  in  1 64 1  as  assistant  to 
Arent  van  Curler.  Upon  the  latter's  departure  for  the  Nether- 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  17 

lands,  in  October  1 644,  he  was  put  in  charge  of  the  colony  and 
given  the  title  of  commies.  After  the  arrival  of  Van  Slichten- 
horst,  he  became  secretary  of  the  colony,  a  position  which  he 
occupied  until  his  death  in  October  1655.  Staets  was  a  surgeon 
and  trader,  who  came  to  the  colony  in  1 642.  He  held  the  office 
of  raetspersoon  from  February  5,  1643,  to  April  10,  1644,  and 
from  the  latter  date  to  April  10,  1648,  was  Presideerende,  or 
presiding  officer  of  the  council.  As  gecommitteerde,  he  was 
before  June  5,  1649,  succeeded  by  Jan  van  T  wilier,  whose  place 
in  turn,  on  January  5,  1651,  was  taken  by  Arent  van  Curler. 
The  office  of  raet,  or  gerechtspersoon,  was  held  by  such  men  as 
Andries  de  Vos,  Rutger  Jacobsz  van  Schoonderwoert,  Goossen 
Gerritsz  van  Schaick,  Jan  Verbeeck  and  Pieter  Hertgers,  all  of 
whom  were  prominent  members  of  the  community,  and  who 
afterwards  became  members  of  the  court  of  Fort  Orange  and 
Beverwyck. 

The  proceedings  of  the  court  presided  over  by  Van  Slichten- 
horst  cover  the  period  from  April  2,  1648,  to  April  15,  1652. 
They  form  the  most  important  source  for  the  history  of  the  colony 
during  that  period,  but  unfortunately  add  but  little  to  what  is 
known  from  other  sources  in  regard  to  the  outstanding  event  of 
that  period,  namely,  the  controversy  between  Van  Slichtenhorst 
and  General  Peter  Stuyvesant  regarding  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
territory  around  Fort  Orange,  which  forms  one  of  the  dramatic 
episodes  of  the  history  of  New  Netherland.  As  is  well  known, 
this  controversy  had  its  origin  in  the  claim  made  by  the  patroon, 
as  early  as  1 632,  that '"  all  the  lands  lying  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river,  from  Beyren  Island  to  Moeneminnes  Castle," 
"  even  including  the  place  where  Fort  Orange  stands,"1  had  been 
bought  and  paid  for  by  him.  The  Dutch  West  India  Company, 
on  the  other  hand,  maintained  that  the  territory  of  the  fort,  which 
was  erected  several  years  before  the  land  of  the  colony  was 
purchased  from  the  Indians,  belonged  to  the  Company  and  con- 

1  Instructions  to  Rutger  Hendricksz  van  Soest,  July  20,    1 632 ;   Van 
Rensselaer  Bowler  Mss,  p.   212. 


18  Colony  of 

sequently  was  not  included  in  the  patroon's  purchase.  The  ques- 
tion had  remained  unsettled  during  the  lifetime  of  Kiliaen  van 
Rensselaer,  but  came  to  an  issue  when  Van  Slichtenhorst,  soon 
after  his  arrival  in  the  colony,  began  to  issue  permits  for  the 
erection  of  houses  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  fort.  Stuy- 
vesant  objected  to  the  erection  of  these  houses  on  the  ground  that 
they  endangered  the  security  of  the  fort  and  ordered  the  destruc- 
tion of  all  buildings  within  range  of  cannon  shot,  a  distance  at 
first  reckoned  at  600  geometrical  paces  of  5  feet  to  the  pace, 
but  which  afterwards  was  reduced  to  1 50  Rhineland  rods.1  The 
order  called  forth  a  vigorous  protest  from  Van  Slichtenhorst,  who 
regarded  it  as  an  unwarranted  invasion  of  the  patroon's  rights, 
and  he  proceeded  with  the  erection  of  the  buildings.  A  counter 
protest  followed  and  in  1 65 1  charges  were  brought  against  Van 
Slichtenhorst,  who  was  summoned  to  appear  before  the  director 
general  and  council  at  Manhattan  and  there  detained  for  4 
months.  The  controversy  continued  after  his  return,  but  was 
definitely  settled  on  April  1 0,  1 652,  when  a  proclamation,  drawn 
up  by  the  director  general  and  council  of  New  Netherland  on  the 
8th  of  the  same  month,  was  issued  in  the  colony  for  the  erection 
of  a  separate  court  for  Fort  Orange,  independent  of  that  of  the 
colony. 

The  erection  of  this  court  was  a  serious  blow  to  the  colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck,  from  which  it  never  fully  recovered.  By 
virtue  of  this  proclamation,  the  main  settlement  of  the  colony, 
which  was  known  as  the  Fuyck,  but  Which  in  the  court  record 
is  generally  referred  to  as  the  byeenrvoninge,  or  hamlet,  was 
taken  out  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  patroon  and  erected  into  an 
independent  village  by  the  name  of  Beverwyck,  which  after- 
wards became  the  city  of  Albany.2  As  a  result  of  this  action, 


'Doc.  rel  to  Col  Hist.  N.  Y.t  14:191.  One  Rhineland  rod  equals 
12.36  English  feet. 

2  The  directors  of  the  West  India  Company  afterwards  repudiated 
Stuyvesant's  action  and  on  April  2,  1674,  declared:  "That  the 
abovenamed  Patroon  Renselaer  and  co-partners  have  been  already, 
from  the  year  XVIC  and  thirty,  and  are  true  owners  of  the  abovenamed 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  19 

the  jurisdiction  of  the  court  of  the  colony  was  thereafter  confined 
to  the  sparsely  settled  outlying  districts  of  the  colony,  so  that  the 
cases  which  came  before  it  must  have  been  very  few.  No  con- 
secutive judicial  record  of  the  court  of  the  colony  after  April  1 5, 
1 652,  has  been  preserved,  but  entries  in  the  minutes  of  the  court 
of  Beverwyck  indicate  that  the  court  of  the  colony  continued  to 
hold  sessions.  • 

Van  Slichtenhorst  vigorously  protested  against  the  erection  of 
the  court  of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck  and  with  his  own  hands 
tore  down  the  proclamation  which  had  been  posted  on  the  house 
of  the  patroon.  For  this  he  was  arrested  on  April  1 8,  1 652,  and 
taken  to  Manhattan,  where  he  was  detained  until  August  1653. 
With  his  arrest,  Van  Slichtenhorst's  administration  came  to  a  close. 
On  July  24,  1 652,  he  was  succeeded  as  director  by  Jan  Baptist 
van  Rensselaer  *  and  as  officer  of  justice  by  Gerard  Swart,  so 
that  thereafter  the  two  functions  were  no  longer  combined  in  one 
person.  The  latter  had  been  commissioned  schout  on  April  24, 
1652,2  and  continued  to  hold  this  position  until  1665,  when  by 
order  of  Governor  Richard  Nicolls  the  court  of  the  colony  was 
consolidated  with  that  of  Fort  Orange  and  the  village  of  Bever- 
wyck. The  year  1665  therefore  marks  the  end  of  the  existence 
of  the  first  local  court  that  was  organized  in  the  province  of  New 
Netherland,  outside  of  New  Amsterdam. 

Van  Slichtenhorst  returned  to  the  Netherlands  shortly  after 
July  1655  and  took  up  his  residence  with  his  daughter  Hille- 
gonda,  who  at  Nykerck  had  married  Pieter  van  der  Schuer. 


hamlet  named  BeversTvycfc  or  Willemsiadt,  and  that  the  possession  by 
their  late  Director  could  not  take  away  nor  diminish  said  ownership; 
declaring,  therefore,  that  the  abovenamed  Company  has  no  right,  action 
nor  pretension  thereto,  leaving  the  right  of  ownership  in  the  abovenamed 
Patroon  and  associates"  Doc.  rel  to  Col  Hist  N.  Y.t  2:558,  560-61. 

1  Johan  Baptist  van  Rensselaer  had  been  in  the  colony  since  June,  1 65 1 . 
Van  Slichtenhorst's  term  as  director  expired  on  March  22,  1651,  but  he 
continued  to  exercise  his  functions  until  his  arrest  on  April  18,  1652. 

2Swart's  commission,  dated  April  24,  1652,  and  his  instructions, 
dated  May  6,  1652,  are  printed  in  O'Callaghan,  History  of  Neiv 
Netherland,  2:564-66. 


20  Colon]}  of  RensselaerstvycJ? 

Before  his  departure  from  the  colony,  the  commissioners  had 
approved  a  debit  and  credit  account  covering  the  years  1648- 
1650,  which  showed  that  for  this  period  of  his  administration 
there  was  due  to  him  from  the  patroon  the  sum  of  13,799  guil- 
ders, 2  stivers  and  12  pence.1  The  patroon  considered  this 
amount  excessive  and  refused  to  pay  it,  whereupon  Van  Slichten- 
horst brought  suit  against  him  in  the  district  court  of  the  Veluwe, 
in  the  province  of  Gelderland.  Judgment  was  given  for  the 
plaintiff,  but  on  an  appeal  taken  by  Van  Rensselaer  to  the 
Klaarbanfy,  or  court  of  appeals,  at  Engelanderholt  the  decision 
was  reversed,  so  that  in  the  end  the  former  director  failed  to 
recover  any  considerable  amount.  The  case  dragged  on  in  the 
courts  from  1656  to  1661.  The  following  year,  Van  Slichten- 
horst  commenced  a  second  action  against  the  patroon,  but  before 
any  decision  was  reached  Johan  van  Rensselaer  died  and  further 
proceedings  were  abandoned. 

Van  Slichtenhorst  now  turned  his  attention  to  the  completion 
of  an  historical  work,  entitled:  Hoe  en  "Wanneer  Celderlandt  tot 
eene  voogdhye  is  afgesondert,  878—1666,  which  is  ascribed  to 
his  son  Arend.  In  1 664,  he  became  feeble  minded  and  was  no 
longer  able  to  take  care  of  his  affairs.  As  his  daughter  had  a 
large  family  and  his  condition  made  quieter  surroundings  neces- 
sary, he  was  placed  in  the  home  of  Evert  Elberts,  a  carpenter 
at  Nykerck,  where  two  years  later,  on  or  just  before  September 
26,  1 666,  he  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  78  years. 

Van  Slichtenhorst  is  one  of  the  few  New  Netherland  officials 
of  whose  complete  career  we  have  any  detailed  knowledge.  Mr 
Beernink  sums  up  his  character  by  stating  that  he  was  *'  a  man 
of  many-sided  knowledge  and  great  ability,  of  recognized 

1 A  translation  of  this  account  is  given  in  the  Appendix.  April  4, 
1652,  the  directors  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  wrote  to  Stuyve- 
sant:  "From  what  we  can  learn  here,  the  owners  of  the  Colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck  have  here  come  to  an  agreement  and  will  probably  send 
over  another  manager,  but  we  doubt,  whether  they  will  easily  get  rid 
of  Slechtenhorst,  for  it  is  said  here,  that  he  demands  from  the  owners 
14000  to  15000  guilders;  we  know  not,  how  true  it  may  be."  Doc. 
rel  to  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  14:171. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  21 

integrity  and  proved  fidelity,  of  rare  courage  and  unfailing  per- 
severance, which  at  times  amounted  to  obstinacy;  an  untiring 
champion  for  the  rights  of  others  and  of  himself."1  The  present 
minutes  of  the  court  presided  over  by  Van  Slichtenhorst  contain 
many  personal  touches  which  testify  to  his  ability  and  devotion 
to  duty,  but  the  general  impression  left  by  these  minutes  is  that 
he  was  a  man  of  aggressive  temperament  and  arbitrary  and 
unyielding  disposition,  who  frequently  came  into  needless  con- 
flict with  his  associates  and  the  colonists. 

One  point  in  connection  with  Van  Slichtenhorst's  administra- 
tion on  which  much  emphasis  has  been  laid  by  Mr  Beernink  is 
worthy  of  special  notice.  On  the  strength  of  a  statement  made 
by  Van  Slichtenhorst  in  the  course  of  his  litigation  with  Johan 
van  Rensselaer,  that  on  his  arrival  in  the  colony  there  were  but 
three  houses  standing  near  the  fort,  that  by  August  1648  eight 
houses  had  been  built,  and  that  at  the  end  of  his  administration, 
in  April  1652,  there  was  a  settlement  of  about  one  hundred 
houses,  Mr  Beernink  calls  him  "  the  founder  of  Albany."  This 
title  needs  qualification,  for  it  is  well  known  that  in  1646  and 
1 647  severe  freshets  had  carried  away  a  number  of  houses  in  the 
colony,  so  that  the  sudden  building  activity  during  Van  Slichten- 
horst's administration  may  mean  nothing  more  than  that  people 
were  replacing  the  buildings  that  had  been  lost.  On  the  other 
hand,  there  are  various  indications  that  before  1648  the  main 
settlement  of  the  colony  was,  not  on  the  west,  but  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Hudson  river,  in  the  so-called  Greenenbosch,  after- 
wards corrupted  to  Greenbush,  a  pine  grove  opposite  the  ferry.3 
It  is  possible,  therefore,  that  at  Van  Slichtenhorst's  initiative  this 
settlement  was,  either  for  greater  security,  or  for  other  reasons, 
gradually  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Orange,  in  which  case 
there  would  be  considerable  justification  for  regarding  him  as  the 


1  Beernink,  p.   260. 

2Beernink,  p.   175,  202,  204. 

3  See  Van  Rensselaer  Bowler  Mss,  p.  454,  619.  Also  Van  Curler's 
letter  to  the  patroon,  June  16,  1643,  in  O'Callaghan,  History  of  New 
Netherlands  1  :459,  462  464. 


22 

real  founder  of  the  city  of  Albany.  It  is  interesting  in  this  con- 
nection to  read  what  Father  Isaac  Jogues,  in  his  Novum  Bel- 
gium, has  to  say  about  the  colony.  Writing  in  1646,  but  de- 
scribing conditions  as  he  found  them  in  1643,  he  says: 

"There  are  two  things  in  this  settlement  (which  is  called  Renselaers- 
wick,  as  if  to  say,  settlement  of  Renselaers,  who  is  a  rich  Amsterdam 
merchant)  —  first,  a  miserable  little  fort  called  Fort  Orenge,  built  of 
logs,  with  four  or  five  pieces  of  Breteuil  cannon,  and  as  many  pedereros. 
This  has  been  reserved  and  is  maintained  by  the  West  India  Company. 
This  fort  was  formerly  on  an  island  in  the  river;  it  is  now  on  the 
mainland,  towards  the  Hiroquois,  a  little  above  the  said  island. 

Secondly,  a  colony  sent  here  by  this  Renselaers,  who  is  the  patron. 
This  colony  is  composed  of  about  a  hundred  persons,  who  reside  in  some 
twenty-five  or  thirty  houses  built  along  the  river,  as  each  found  most 
convenient.  In  the  principal  house  lives  the  patron's  agent;  the  minister 
has  his  apart,  in  which  service  is  performed.  There  is  also  a  kind  of 
bailiff  here,  whom  they  call  the  seneschal,  who  administers  justice.  All 
their  houses  are  merely  of  boards  and  thatched,  with  no  mason  work 
except  the  chimneys.  The  forest  furnishing  many  large  pines,  they  make 
boards  by  means  of  their  mills,  which  they  have  here  for  the  purpose." 

While  Father  Jogues  does  not  specify  whether  the  houses 
stood  on  the  east  or  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  it  is  evident  from 
his  description  that  in  1643  there  was  no  compact  settlement 
around  Fort  Orange.  It  would  seem  therefore  that  what  Van 
Slichtenhorst  actually  did,  was  to  have  the  separate  dwellings 
that  stood  on  both  banks  of  the  river  removed  to  the  vicinity  of 
the  fort.  Such  a  concentration  of  the  settlement,  for  the  greater 
security  of  the  inhabitants,  similar  to  that  which  ten  years  later, 
at  Stuyvesant's  suggestion,  was  carried  out  at  Wiltwyck,2  would 
satisfactorily  explain  the  peculiar  usage  of  the  term  byeenrvo- 
ninge,  literally,  "  a  dwelling  together,"  by  which  the  hamlet  is 
repeatedly  designated  in  the  court  minutes.  Mr  Beernink  con- 
siders the  employment  of  this  term  in  the  sense  of  a  village  so 
remarkable,  that  he  cites  it  as  a  distinct  proper  name,  which  was 


1 J.  F.  Jameson,  Narratives  of  New  Netherland,  p.  261-62. 

2  See  Resolution  of  the  inhabitants  of  Esopus,  May  31,  1658,  at  the 
beginning  of  "  The  Dutch  Records  of  Kingston,"  revised  translation  by 
Samuel  Oppenheim,  in  vol.  XI  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  New  York  State 
Historical  Association. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  23 

given  to  the  settlement  by  Van  Slichtenhorst,  but  which  hereto- 
fore has  been  overlooked.1  This,  however,  does  not  seem  to  be 
the  case,  for  the  name  never  became  current  outside  of  the  locality 
and  is  not  mentioned  in  the  declaration  made  by  the  directors  of 
the  Dutch  West  India  Company  in  1674,  in  which  they  speak 
of  "  the  hamlet,  first  called  de  Fu];c£,  afterwards  BeversTvycfy, 
and  now  Willemstadt,  whereabouts  Fort  Orange  is  built." 
The  use,  moreover,  in  Arend  van  Slichterihorst's  defense  of  his 
father  before  the  district  court  of  the  Veluwe,  of  such  a  phrase 
as  eene  Byeemvoeningh  van  omtrent  honderd  huysen  (a  settle- 
ment of  about  one  hundred  houses),  cited  by  Mr  Beernink,3  suf- 
ficiently proves  that  the  word  byeenrvoninge  was  employed  as  a 
common  noun. 

As  shown  in  the  preceding  pages,  the  minutes  of  the  court  pre- 
sided over  by  Van  Slichtenhorst  form  the  only  record  of  the 
court  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  that  has  been  preserved. 
The  record  breaks  off  on  April  15,  1652,  the  very  date  on  which 
the  first  session  was  held  of  the  newly  created  court  of  Fort 
Orange  and  the  village  of  Beverwyck.  The  present  record, 
therefore,  connects  directly  with  the  first  book  of  minutes  of  the 
last  named  court,  of  which  a  translation  has  recently  been  pub- 
lished by  The  University  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

The  record,  in  its  original  form,  was  a  paper  covered  volume 
of  114  leaves,  which  on  the  front  cover  bore  the  title  of 
"  Gerechtsrolle  der  Colonie  Rensselaerswyck."  It  is  jepeatedly 
cited  under  this  title  in  the  second  volume  of  O'Callaghan's  His- 
tory of  New  Netherland  and  has  been  used  extensively  in  the 
compilation  of  the  list  of  settlers  of  the  colony  which  is  printed 
at  the  end  of  the  Van  Rensselaer  Borvier  Manuscripts,  but  the 
complete  text  of  the  record  has  heretofore  not  been  available  in 
print. 


Beernink,  p.  139,  202,204. 

2  Doc.  rel  to  Col  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:558. 

3  Beernink,  p.  208,  253. 


24  Colony  of  Remse/aersnnjc£ 

The  record  belongs  to  the  archives  of  the  colony  which, 
together  with  the  later  records  of  the  manor  of  Rensselaerswyck, 
were  for  many  years  kept  in  the  patroon's  office,  a  one-story 
brick  building  with  a  fireproof  vault,  which  until  recently  stood 
near  the  south  west  corner  of  Broadway  and  Tivoli  street,  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  city  of  Albany.  It  was  with  these  rec- 
ords, in  1 899,  removed  to  the  Albany  county  clerk's  office  x  and 
from  there,  in  1906,  as  part  of  the  same  collection  of  records, 
transferred  to  the  New  York  State  Library.  There,  less  than 
5  years  later,  it  was  severely  damaged  in  the  fire  which  on 
March  29,  191  1,  broke  out  in  the  western  portion  of  the  State 
Capitol  and  in  a  few  hours  destroyed  not  only  the  general  con- 
tents of  the  Library  but  also  many  valuable  records,  including 
the  greater  part  of  the  Rensselaerswyck  manuscripts. 

As  shown  by  the  illustrations,  the  lower  part  of  the  record  is 
completely  charred,  the  portion  containing  the  last  two  or  three 
lines  of  every  page  being  severed  from  the  rest  of  the  manuscript 
and  in  some  cases  lost.  Wherever  possible,  the  writing  on  these 
charred  fragments  has  been  carefully  deciphered,  so  that  the  text 
as  here  presented  is  to  a  large  extent  complete. 

The  main  body  of  the  record  is  in  the  handwriting  of  Anthony 
de  Hooges,  who  throughout  the  period  of  Van  Slichtenhorst's 
administration  and  until  his  own  death,  in  1655,  held  the  office 
of  secretary.  Here  and  there,  however,  pages  occur  in  another 
hand,  which  is  probably  that  of  Gerrit  van  Wenckum,  Van 
Slichtenhorst's  nephew,  who  according  to  the  account  printed  in 
the  appendix  did  considerable  copying.  Throughout  the  record 
there  are  many  additional  entries  and  marginal  annotations  by 
Van  Slichtenhorst.  In  the  translation  no  systematic  effort  has 
been  made  to  indicate  these  changes  of  handwriting,  which  as  a 
rule  are  without  special  significance. 

November  20,  1922 

A.  J.  F.  VAN  LAER 

aSee  chapter  268,  Laws  of  1896,  and  chapter  471,  Laws  of  1899, 
making  provision  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the  "Van  Rensselaer  papers" 
in  the  Albany  county  clerk's  office. 


COURT  MINUTES  OF  RENSSELAERSWYCK 

1648-1652 

[  1  ]  In  the  name  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ 
we  begin  this  court  record.1 

This  day,  Thursday,  April  2  Anno  1 648 

Hendrick  Westerkamp  is  granted  permission  and  consent  to 
support  himself  in  the  colony  by  day-labor  or  otherwise.  He 
may  therefore  select  a  place,  whereupon  we  shall  resolve  further. 

Jacob  Adriaensz  is  ordered  to  serve  out  his  term  with  Evert 
Pels  for  the  space  of  one  year  and  to  report  to  Evert  Pels  within 
four  days  from  this  date,  under  penalty  of  forfeiting,  the  first 
time  four  guilders,  for  remaining  in  default  another  four  days 
eight  guilders,  and  the  third  time  sixteen  guilders;  and  of  receiv- 
ing arbitrary  punishment  the  fourth  time. 

Jacob  Lambertsz  van  Dorlandt  having  committed  a  crime  in 
wounding  Paulus  Jansz,  Noorman,  and  the  court  having  heard 
the  director's  complaint  in  the  matter,  the  delinquent  is  con- 
demned to  pay  the  director  a  fine  of  twenty-five  guilders,  with 
costs,  [the  parties]  being  warned  hereafter  to  keep  the  peace, 
[under  penalty  of]  condemnation. 

[Iv]  2    Thursday,  April  9  Anno  1648 

Whereas  we  observe  the  great  rashness  of  Jacob  Adriaensz 
in  entering  into  another  man's  service,  having  been,  namely, 
as  appears  from  the  foregoing  judgment,  first  with  Evert  Pels 
and  being  now  with  Cornelis  Segersz,  which  is  a  matter  that  is 
not  to  be  tolerated,  therefore,  leaving  the  foregoing  judgment 


1  Inden  Name  onses  Heeren  ende  Heylandis  Jesu  Christ!  aenvangen  toy 
desen  Cerecht  Rolle.     Figures  within  brackets  represent  the  pages  of  the 
original   manuscript.      Elsewhere,   brackets  indicate  material   supplied  by 
the  editor. 

2  Iv  means  first  folio  verso  or  reverse. 

[25] 


26  Colony  of  Rensselaersrvycfy 

unabated,  we  order  that  Jacob  aforesaid  for  his  rashness  and  in 
reparation  of  the  loss  which  Cornelis  may  suffer  thereby  shall 
pay  to  Cornelis  Segersz,  inclusive  of  the  earnest  money  and  pre- 
vious expenses,  the  sum  of  twenty-five  guilders. 

[2]  Court  proceedings,  April  16  Anno  1648 

At  the  director's  demand,  Quiryn  Cornelisz  is  ordered  for  the 
last  time  to  present  before  Thursday  next,  without  further  delay, 
further  proof  of  his  account  and  an  accurate  statement  about  the 
farm,  both  as  to  receipts  and  expenditures,  on  pain,  in  case  he 
remains  in  default,  of  being  placed  in  confinement  and  kept  on 
bread  and  water  until  he  shall  produce  further  proof,  and  fur- 
thermore of  arbitrary  punishment  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

Whereas  the  time  allowed  to  Jacob  Adriaensz  expired  two 
days  ago  and  we  find  that  as  yet  he  has  not  reported  to  Evert 
Pels,  it  is  ordered,  as  it  is  ordered  by  us  hereby,  that  the  honor- 
able director  and  the  court  messenger  shall  this  coming  Saturday 
take  him  to  his  place  of  destination  and,  in  case  of  opposition  to 
this  our  order,  he  shall  de  facto  be  taken  into  custody  and  be 
put  on  bread  and  water. 

Cornelis  Theunisz  from  Breuckelen  is  ordered  to  bring  in  and 
settle  his  account  on  Wednesday  next,  when  [  ] 

him  [  ]  forfeiture  [  ]/ 

[2v]  Apostil  on  the  petition  of  Nicolaes  Coorn 
First,  as  to  the  capacity  in  which  he  serves  the  honorable  court, 
he  is  Lieutenant  Officer.2  As  to  his  salary,  the  honorable  court, 
subject  to  ratification  by  the  honorable  guardians,3  according  to 
instructions,  have  granted  him  one  pound  Flemish  in  addition  to 
his  former  pay  for  service  and  board,  that  is  to  say,  thirty-six 
guilders  a  month. 


1  Manuscript  destroyed. 

2  Officier  Luytenant,  meaning  deputy  sheriff. 

3  Johan  van  Wely  and  Wouter  van  Twiller,  the  guardians  of  the  young 
patroon,  Johannes  van  Rensselaer,  the  minor  son  of  Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer, 
deceased,  then  in  Holland. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  27 

Secondly,  as  to  the  name  of  Stads  Herberg  (City  Tavern), 
permission  to  use  the  same  is  granted  him,  as  well  as  permission 
to  build  according  to  his  request  at  the  place  to  be  assigned  to 
him,  provided  that  he  enter  into  a  proper  contract  for  that  pur- 
pose. But  the  court  can  not  resolve  to  grant  him  the  exclusive 
right  to  tap. 

The  court  confirms  and  renews  the  sentence  pronounced  on 
August  28,  1 647,  upon  Willem  Jeuriaensz  1  on  account  of  the 
assault  committed  against  the  person  of  Antony  de  Hooges.  The 
honorable  director,  therefore,  is  requested  and  directed  to  execute 
and  carry  out  the  same  in  all  its  parts  and  provisions. 

[3]  Thursday,  April  23  Anno  1648 

At  the  request  of  Cornelis  Teunisz  for  an  extension  of  time  to 
render  his  account,  permission  is  granted  him  for  the  last  time, 
without  prejudice  to  our  previous  order,  to  render  his  account  on 
Tuesday  next,  without  fail,  on  pain  of  forfeiture  of  one  pound 
Flemish,  or  six  guilders. 

Quiryn  Cornelisz  remaining  in  default  as  regards  the  previous 
order,  peremptory  order  is  hereby  given  that  he  be  found  and 
made  to  execute  the  same,  according  to  circumstances. 

The  matter  of  Jacob  Jansz  Plodder,  in  regard  to  the  contract 
of  the  new  mill  and  the  two  stallions,  is  put  over  to  next  Thurs- 
day. As  to  the  payment  for  the  kill,  two  of  us  will  be  appointed 
to  sign  and  give  a  receipt. 

Extraordinary  session,  April  25  Anno  1648 

After  Quiryn  Cornelisz  according  to  the  previous  judgment 
had  been  placed  in  confinement,  it  was  at  Hans  Vos's  urgent 
request  agreed  to  hold  his  bail  and  suretyship  valid,  on  condition 
of  binding  'himself  as  principal  for  the  [appearance]  of  the  per- 
son of  [Quiryn  Cornelisz]  on  Monday  [week],  being  the  4th 

1  Willem  Jeuriaensz  was  sentenced  in  1644  and  again  in  1647  for  hav- 
ing attempted  to  stab  de  Hooges  with  a  knife.  See  p.  [58—60]  of  this 
record  and  O'Callaghan,  History  of  Neto  Netherland,  1  :437-38. 


28  Colony  of 

of  May  of  the  year  above  written  and  for  his  proceeding  with 
the  case    [  ]    whereupon    [said   Quiryn 

Cornelisz  was  released  from]  confinement. 

[3v]  Thursday,  April  30  Anno  1648 

Upon  the  petition  of  Jan  Verbeeck  and  Jan  Michielsz  the  fol- 
lowing serves  for  apostil:  Their  request  is  granted,  namely, 
they  may  both,  with  a  helper,  to  the  exclusion  of  all  others,  take 
up  the  tailor's  trade,  binding  themselves  by  contract  for  the 
accpmmodation  of  the  colony,  provided  that  neither  of  them 
shall  be  entitled  to  receive  more  than  36  stivers  for  a  day's  work 
and  the  helper  30  stivers.  But  as  to  the  request  that  no  one 
shall  be  allowed  to  take  any  work  into  the  fort,1  we  can  not 
approve  of  this  for  reasons  us  thereunto  moving. 

Cornelis  Segersz  is  ordered  to  pay  Reyer  Stoffelsz,  according 
to  the  assignment  by  Adriaen  vander  Donck,  the  sum  of  49 
guilders  within  the  space  of  six  weeks,  in  default  whereof  the 
said  sum  will  be  demanded  of  him  by  legal  process.  But  if  he 
can  prove  within  the  aforesaid  time  that  he  does  not  owe  Vander 
Donck  anything,  this  assignment  will  be  of  no  value.  On  the 
other  hand,  from  this  date  until  the  next  Reyer  Stoffelsz  is 
debarred  from  exacting  the  first  payment  due  to  him. 

Jan  Van  Bremen2  is  condemned  to  pay  the  fine  for  [strik- 
ing?] Hans  Vos  in  [  ]  wheat. 


1  Meaning  that  the  colonists  of  Rensselaerswyck  should  be  prohibited 
from  employing  a  tailor  in  Fort  Orange  outside  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
colony. 

2  According  to  G.   Beernink,  De  Geschiedschrijver  en  Rechtsgeleerde 
Dr.  Ar end  van  Slichienhorst  en  zijn  vader  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst,  p. 
1  70,  Jan  Dircksz  van  Bremen  came,  not  come  from  the  city  of  Bremen, 
in    Germany,    as    theretofore    supposed,    but    from    Amersfoort,    in    the 
province  of  Utrecht,  van  Bremen  being  the  family  name.     It  is  possible, 
however,   that   Mr.    Beernink  confuses  him  with   Jan   Dircksz,    English- 
man, mentioned  in  these  minutes  under  date  of  November  1 9,  1 648,  who 
is  given  in  the  accounts  of  the  colony  as  from  Amersfoort.     In  Resolutions 
of  Brazil   (W.  I.  Co.  Oude  Co.,  No.   68,  Rijksarchief,  The  Hague), 
under    date    of   Sept.    24,    1637,    appears    the    following   entry:    "Jan 
Dircksz  van   Bremen,   Constabel    (gunner),  who  came  into  the  country 
on  the  ship  Graeff  Ernesius,  fl.  64:—." 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  29 

[4]  Evert  Noldingh  l  is  at  his  request  granted  permission  to 
support  himself  by  teaching  school  and  to  have  a  lot  laid  out 
for  him. 

It  is  ordered  that  Willem  Jeunaensz  must  render  his  account 
next  Saturday,  before  noon,  notice  of  which  will  be  served  on 
him  by  the  court  messenger. 

Cornelis  Theunisz  from  Breuckelen  is  once  more  ordered  and 
commanded  to  render  his  account  next  Tuesday,  on  pain  of  for- 
feiting twenty-five  guilders. 

Thursday,  May  7  Anno  1 648 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Hans  Jansz  from 
Rotterdam,  for  having  beaten  an  Indian.  First  default. 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Jan  van  Bremen, 
for  mischief  done  at  night  before  and  on  the  door  of  Jacob  Jansz 
Stol. 

[4v]  May  11,  1648 

Hans  Vos  attaches  fl.  120  in  the  hands  of  Nikolaes  Koorn 
and  fl.  .  .  .  in  the  hands  of  Cornells  Segersz,  on  account 
of  the  debt  alleged  to  be  due  by  Adriaen  vander  Donck. 

Thursday,  May  28,  1648 

Quiryn  Cornelisz  is  ordered  to  complete  his  term  of  service 
with  Evert  Pels  during  the  planting,  according  to  his  agreement, 
under  penalty  of  forfeiting  fl.25. 

Upon  the  verbal  request  of  Nicolaes  Koorn,  made  here  before 
the  court,  that  he  may  receive  and  be  paid  certain  private  debts 
due  him  by  some  of  the  patroon's  farm  hands  and  others,  the 
honorable  gentlemen  of  the  court  have  resolved  and  ordered,  as 
they  do  hereby,  that  Nicolaes  Koorn  shall  render  to  the  director, 
commissioners  and  councilors  (Gecommitteerden  ende  Raeden) 


1  He  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and  apparently  a  private  master.  See 
note  under  entry  of  November  23,  1650,  and  Minutes  of  the  Court 
of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverrvydf,  1  :43,  44,  200,  238. 


30  Colony  of  RensselaersTvycJt 

of  this  colony  a  statement  of  the  goods  which  he  received  from 
the  late  honorable  patroon,  according  to  his  invoices,  and  render 
a  proper  account  of  everything  for  our  inspection  and  careful 
examination  and,  furthermore,  that  he  shall  act  in  accordance 
with  the  order  to  be  issued  by  us  on  Tuesday  next,  being  the 
2d  of  June  of  the  year  1 648. 

[5]  April  26,  anno  1648,  Director  Slichtenhorst  protested 
against  a  certain  writing  of  the  Honorable  General  P.  Stuyve- 
sant,  about  the  proclamation  of  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer, 
whereby  he  is  considered  to  have  infringed  the  right  and 
authority  of  the  honorable  patroon.  This  writing  was  delivered 
just  before  the  commencement  of  divine  service,  so  that  [the 
court]  had  no  time  to  read  it. 

[6v]  *  Court  proceedings,  June  1  Anno  1648 

Pieter  Cornelisz  and  Harmen  Bastiaensz  are  provisionally 
referred  to  arbitrators. 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Thomas  Chamber, 
Jacob  Jansz,  farmer  on  the  Vlacte,2  and  Claes  Teunisz  Uylen- 
spiegel.  First  default. 

Court  proceedings,  July  2  Anno  1648 

Jacob  Jansz,  farmer  on  the  Vlackte,  says  that  he  heard  Jan 
Thomasz  say  first  that  Claes  Tyssen  was  an  informer.  He  is 
given  eight  days  in  which  to  clear  himself  of  the  charge  that  he 
too  said  so  and  is  therefore  ordered  to  appear  at  the  expiration  of 
that  time. 

Claes  Teunisz  denies  that  he  called  Claes  Tysschen  an 
informer.  It  may  be  true,  he  says,  but  [he  knows  no]  more 
about  it  than  that  others  said  so. 

Is  granted  time  and  cited  to  appear. 


1  Folios  5v  and  6  are  blank. 

2  Jacob   Jansz    from   Stoutenburch.      The    farms  was   later   known   as 
the  Schuyler  Flatts. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  31 

[7]  Thomas  Chamber  being  asked  whether  on  the  4th  of 
June  of  this  year  he  was  not  with  some  other  persons  on  the 
Vlackte,  answers  that  he  will  say  neither  no  nor  yes  and  that 
none  of  those  sitting  on  the  bench  can  prove  to  him  that  he  called 
Claes  Tyssen  an  informer.  He  says  that  he  will  not  take  an 
oath  in  his  own  case.  Is  granted  a  delay  and  cited  like  the  fore- 
going persons. 

Hans  Vos  is  ordered  to  complete  his  term  of  service  and  to 
serve  six  days  in  addition  for  time  lost  by  him. 

Thursday,  July  16  Anno  1648 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Harmen  Bastiaensz, 
defendant,  and  Gerrit  Jansz,  cooper,  and  Evert  Noldingh. 

Having  seen  the  written  contract  between  Jan  Thomasz  and 
Thomas  Chamber  about  the  building  of  the  house  of  the  said 
Jan  Thomasz,  whereby  Thomas  Chamber  binds  himself  to  make 
said  house  tight  all  around  by  the  end  of  April  of  this  year,  and 
finding  that  the  time  is  passing  by,  Thomas  Chamber  is  ordered 
to  start  the  work  next  Monday,  but  without  [  ] 

[  ]  fine  of  30  stivers  [  ]  for  lost 

time. 

[7v]  [The  court]  having  at  the  request  of  the  Honorable 
Director  Slichtenhorst  heard  the  urgent  and  insistent  demand 
made  by  Marten  Hendricksz  for  payment  of  his  lawful  account 
and  finding  that  the  goods  or  the  value  thereof  are  in  the  hands 
of  Teunis  Cornelisz,  as  shown  by  his  debit  account,  it  is  resolved 
that  Teunis  shall  likewise  by  legal  process  be  forced  to  make 
payment  within  the  space  of  1 4  days  from  this  date.  In  case  of 
failure  to  pay  within  eight  days  after  the  appointed  time,  he 
shall  forfeit  three  guilders;  [for  failure  to  pay]  within  three  days 
after  the  last  mentioned  date  he  shall  incur  the  double  fine;  and 
thereafter  he  shall  be  dealt  with  according  to  law  as  the  circum- 
stances may  require. 

Marten  Hendricksz  is  ordered  to  satisfy  and  pay  Willem 
Fredericksz  what  is  due  according  to  their  mutual  account  within 
the  space  of  one  month  from  this  date. 


32  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvycfy 

Whereas  Domine  Megapolensis  has  recently  suffered  great 
loss  through  theft  and  requests  to  have  the  houses  in  the  Greenen 
Bos  searched,1  without  casting  any  reflection  on  the  honest  and 
the  innocent,  his  Reverence's  request  is  granted,  with  the  under- 
standing that  no  offense  in  the  least  shall  be  given  to  honest  per- 
sons. In  case  of  refusal,  people  [shall  be  dealt  with]  according 
to  law. 

[8]  Court  proceedings,  July  23  Anno  1648 

Cornelis    Theunisz    from    Breuckelen    and    Evert    Pels    are 
ordered  to  settle  their  accounts  within  eight  days  and  then  to 
consider  and  determine  together  who  is  to  satisfy  Claes  Tyssen. 
Cornelis  Theunisz  appeals  [from  the  decision]. 

Adriaen  vander  Donck  undertakes  at  the  very  first  oppor- 
tunity to  collect  as  far  as  possible  for  Hans  Vos  at  the  Man- 
hatans  the  forty-seven  guilders  which  are  due  to  Hans  Vos  from 
Simon  Waelingen,  according  to  his  order,  the  previous  attach- 
ments heretofore  levied  by  Hans  Vos  against  Corn :  Segersz,  N : 
Coorn  and  others  being  hereby  vacated  and  declared  void. 

Extraordinary  session,  September  9,   1648 

It  is  resolved  that  Cornelis  Jansz  shall  receive  the  gun  inven- 
toried [among  the  effects]  of  the  farm  heretofore  used  by 
Quiryn,  in  consideration  of  the  purchase  under  contract. 

[8v]   Court  proceedings,  October  8,   1648 

Claes  Gerritsz  confesses  that  he  wounded  Jan,  the  smith,  with  a 
plow  staff,  drawing  blood. 

Whereupon  the  honorable  director  draws  a  complaint, 
demanding  the  imposition  of  a  fine  of  three  hundred  guilders. 

Cornelis  Segersz  being  cited  on  account  of  some  derogatory 
remarks  which  he  is  alleged  to  have  made  in  the  tavern  about 


1  Megapolensis  resided  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  river,  in  what 
was  known  as  the  Greenen  Bosch,  or  pine  grove,  afterwards  corrupted  to 
Greenbush.  See  Van  Curler's  letter  to  the  patroon,  June  16,  1643,  in 
E.  B.  O'Callaghan,  History  of  New  Netherland,  1  :459. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  33 

the  person  of  Andries  de  Vos  in  his  capacity  as  magistrate  (ge- 
rechts  persoon),  the  defendant  declares  that  he  has  nothing  to 
say  about  the  person  of  Andries  de  Vos  as  regards  his  office  and 
special  duty  and  conduct  but  what  redounds  to  his  honor  and 
virtue,  declaring  that  he  conducts  himself  as  an  honest  man  is 
bound  to  do. 

This  he  has  declared  here  before  the  court. 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary. 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Cornelis  van  Es  and 
his  wife,  separately,  Pieter  Claesz  and  Evert  Pels.  First 
default. 

The  order  of  [July]  23  of  this  year  as  to  the  question  between 
Cornelis  Teunisz  and  Evert  Pels  is  renewed  and  they  are  once 
more  ordered  to  settle  their  mutual  accounts  within  eight  days 
after  date,  to  wit,  as  far  as  Claes  Tyssen  is  concerned,  under 
penalty  of  forfeiting  six  guilders  each,  and  [so]  from  eight  days 
to  eight  days. 

[9]  Evert  Pels  is  cited: 

1  To  pay  the  wages  earned  by  Claes  Tyssen 

2  To  pay  for  one  half  of  the  pease  that  were  mowed  and  for 

the  great  damage  and  loss  of  time    [suffered  by  Claes 
Tyssen]  as  the  result  of  the  beating 

3  To  pay  the  fine  for  beating  Claes  [Tyssen] 

4  On  account  of  his  wife's  abusive  language  to  the  honorable 

director,  when  he  served  the  complaint. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Michiel  Jansz,  praying  that  he  may 
receive  a  final  settlement  of  accounts,  the  following  serves  for 
apostil :  That  he  is  to  have  his  account  of  everything  including 
the  trade,  ready  by  next  Saturday,  or,  in  case  his  journey  should 
thereby  by  delayed,  sooner,  in  order  that,  [the  court]  securing 
thorough  evidence  of  everything,  a  final  settlement  may  be 
reached  and  agreed  upon. 


34  Colony  of 


Extraordinary  session,  October  1  0,  1  648 

Michiel  Jansz  is  arrested  and  ordered  under  penalty  of  the 
lord's  highest  fine  to  make  out  and  render  his  yearly  account,  in 
debita  forma,  as  head  farmer  and  lessee,  from  the  year  1638  to 
the  year  1646,  inclusive,  as  well  as  of  the  trade  and  the  horses 
delivered  to  him,  for  which  he  must  furnish  two  sufficient  sure- 
ties. [  ]  appraisal  [  ]  which  he 

received   [  ]   buildings   [  ] 

At  the  same  time,  Monday  next,  being  the  12th  of  this  month, 
is  appointed  as  the  court  day  [on  which  answer  is  to  be  made]. 

[9v]  Extraordinary  session,  October  12,  1648 

Michiel  Jansz,  having  been  arrested  about  disputed  accounts 
and  having  appointed  Teunis  Dircksz  and  Jan  Louwrensz  as 
sureties  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment,  they  accept  the 
suretyship,  offering  themselves  as  sureties  for  the  principal  and 
Jan  Louwrensz  submitting  himself  to  the  court  here. 

Acknowledged  before  me, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

Extraordinary  session,  October  13,  1648 

Michiel  Jansz  being  again  arrested  for  having  in  time  of  war 
sold  contraband  munitions  of  war  to  the  Indians  and,  secondly, 
for  having  sent  his  servant  with  about  50  beavers  to  the  house 
De  Hoop,1  without  paying  any  recognition  on  them,  Michiel 
Jansz  before  the  court  binds  his  person  and  property  as  security 
for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment,  submitting  himself  to  the 
court  here,  the  next  court  day  being  set  for  the  trial. 


1  Fort  Hope,  on  the  Connecticut  river. 


Court  Minutes,  / 648-1 6 52  35 

Court  proceedings,  October  15  Anno  1648 

The  case  between  Willem  Jeuriaensz  and  the  widow  of 
Matty s  Jansz,  the  court  being  incomplete,  is  put  over  to1  the  next 
court  day. 

Evert  Pels,  for  having  beaten  Claes  Tyssen,  offers  to  pay  the 
fine  provided  [by  law]. 

Claes  Tyssen  declares  here  before  the  court  and  Broer  Cor- 
nelis1 that  Evert  Pels,  having  with  him  Cornelis  Teunisz,  called 
him  a  rascal  and  a  thief. 

Evert  Pels,  appearing  on  account  [ 

[  ]    offers  now    [  ] 

[  ]   but  remains    [  ] 

October  15,  [10]  Cornells  Quirynen  is  arrested  at  the  request 
for  Cornelis  °^  Cornells  van  Es,  with  order  not  to  depart  before 
van  E8  he  has  paid  or  furnished  sufficient  sureties  for  the  pay- 

ment of  the  note  signed  by  him  on  account  of  Roeloff 
Cornelisz. 

Likewise,  all  that  is  due  to  Quiryn  Cornelis  and  Cornelis 
Quirynen  from  Broer  Cornelis  is  attached  in  the  hands  of  the 
said  Broer  Cornelis. 

Ext :  Permission  is  granted  to  Evert  Jansz,  tailor,  residing  on 
the  island  of  Manhatans,  to  transport  himself  hither  and  to  sup- 
port himself  here  by  exercising  his  trade,  provided  that  he  build 
at  his  own  expense,  for  which  a  place  will  be  indicated  to  him. 

August  3,  1648,  Jan  Barentsz  Poest  caused  Cornelis  Segersz 
to  be  asked  in  court  by  the  director  whether  he,  Cornelis  Segersz, 
stood  by  the  words  which  he  on  the  first  of  said  month  addressed 
to  him,  Jan,  in  the  presence  of  Aerndt  Andriesz,  Pouwels  Noor- 
man  and  the  servant  of  the  aforesaid  Aernt,  accusing  him,  Jan, 
of  being  a  rascal  and  a  [thief?]  and  the  greatest  liar  at  present 


1  Cornells  Teunisz  from  Breuckelen. 


36  Colony  of 

in  the  colony,  which  aforesaid  accusations  Cornelis  Segeresz  even 
at  the  time  of  the  examination  promised  to  prove  by  several  wit- 
nesses, but  afterwards  before  the  said  director  was  obliged  to 
take  back,  stating  that  he  knew  naught  of  the  said  Jan  but  what 
was  honorable  and  good. 

Which  I  certify, 

B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST,  Director. 

[10v]     The   honorable   director,   Brandt  van   Slichtenhorst, 
plaintiff,  against  Michiel  Jansz,  defendant. 

1  In  the  first  place,  the  defendant  must  give  security  for  the 
satisfaction  of  the  judgment  and  choose  his  domicile  where  notice 
or  legal  summons  may  be  served  in  his  absence. 

2  Michiel  Jansz  is  asked  whether  he  was  not  engaged  upon 
the  same  [terms  as  those  of  the]  contract  which  Gerrit  de  Reus 
made  with  the  honorable  patroon  and  whether  he  did  not  occupy 
the  farm  called  "  de  Hooge  Berch  'n  from  the  year  1 640  to  the 
year  1 646  upon  the  same  conditions  ? 

3  [The    plaintiff    demands]     that    the    defendant,    as    the 
patroon's  farmer,  render  a  true  account  and  statement  of  the 
grain  and  crops  and  of  the  cattle,  butter,  milk  and  hogs  for  the 
years  1638  and  1639,  and  this  for  each  year  separately,  and  in 
detail.     Also  a  statement  as  to  what  he  has  done  with  all  the 
property  aforesaid  and  that  within  a  specified  time,  according  to 
his  own  request  of  October  8,  1648;  if  not,  the  plaintiff  places 
his  loss  on  that  score  at  the  sum  of  five  hundred  guilders,  plus 
lawful  damages. 

4  [The  plaintiff  demands]  that  the  defendant  in  his  capacity 
of   former   lessee   of   the  patroon's   farm   called   *'  den   Hogen 
Berch,"  from  the  year  1640  to  the  year  1646,  inclusive,  render 
an  accurate  account,  for  each  year  separately,  of  the  crops  which 
the  defendant  received,  as  well  as  of  the  cattle,  wagon  and  plow 


1  Literally,  the  High  Hill.     The  farm  was  situated  on  the  east  side 
of  the  Hudson  river,  on  the  Mill  creek. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  37 

and  further  of  all  the  farm  implements,  household  effects,  linen, 
woolens,  nothing  excepted,  which  were  entrusted  to  him  in  the 
year  1 640,  and  of  all  the  grain,  cattle,  butter  and  milk  produced 
and  raised  on  the  aforesaid  farm  after  the  year  1640,  together 
with  a  statement  as  to  what  he  has  done  with  it  all,  said  account  to 
be  rendered  within  a  specified  time;  if  not,  the  plaintiff  in  his 
capacity  aforesaid  charges  for  his  loss  on  that  account  the  sum 
of  two  thousand  guilders,  plus  lawful  damages. 

5  That  the  defendant  return  to  the  plaintiff  in  the  colony  tru 
three  horses  which  he  took  with  him  out  of  the  colony  in  the  year 
1646,  in  as  good  condition  as  they  were  at  the  time,  and  this 
within  a  specified  time;  if  not,  the  plaintiff  places  his  loss  on  that 
account  at  [  ]   and  fifty  guilders  for  lawful  damages. 

6  That  the  defendant  within  a  specified  time  shall  submit  an 
accurate  inventory  of  all  the  household  effects,  linens,  woolens 
and  everything  else  that  the  defendant  and  his  wife  took  with 
them  out  of  the  colony;  otherwise  the  plaintiff  will  charge  for 
his  loss  in  that  respect  the  sum  of  500  guilders  plus  lawful 
damages. 

[11]  7  That  the  plaintiff  and  the  defendant  within  three 
days  shall  have  the  house,  barn,  barrack  and  further  all  the 
buildings  occupied  by  him  to  the  year  1646,  appraised  by 
impartial  carpenters,  who  are  also  to  estimate  and  appraise  in 
what  state  he  left  said  buildings  two  years  ago;  otherwise  the 
plaintiff  will  charge  for  his  loss  the  sum  of  2000  guilders  plus 
lawful  damages.  And  in  case  of  refusal,  the  plaintiff  shall  have 
the  appraisal  made  by  impartial  persons  at  the  defendant's 
expense. 

8  That  the  defendant  shall  within  a  specified  time  render  a 
specified  and  detailed  account  of  the  total  cost  of  the  patroon's 
house  in  the  way  of  building,  materials  and  expenses;  otherwise 
the  plaintiff  will  charge  for  his  loss  on  that  account  fifteen  hun- 
dred guilders,  plus  lawful  damages. 

And  whereas  the  defendant  at  his  departure  for  the  Man- 
hatans  presented  a  final  account,  written  with  his  own  hand,  as 

127808 


38  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvycfy 

he  has  admitted  in  court,  entitled:  "Account  of  all  that  is  in  my 
custody  on  the  farm,  belonging  to  the  farm,"  which  showed  that 
he  still  had  in  common  with  his  patroon  the  sum  of  two  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  fifty-four  guilders,  eleven  stivers,  the  honorable 
plaintiff  demands  that  the  half  of  the  aforesaid  sum  be  deposited 
with  the  court,  with  costs. 

9  That  the  defendant  shall  also  show  how  many  beavers,  otter 
skins,  or  other  peltries  he  has  traded  or  otherwise  received  during 
his  term,  each  year  separately.    Otherwise,  the  plaintiff  will  place 
his  loss  at  1000  guilders,  plus  lawful  damages. 

10  Whereas  it  is  notorious  that  Michiel  Jansz  has  traded 
many  skins,  proof  is  demanded,  first  of  all,  that  the  defendant 
had  the  right  to  trade  these  and,  in  default  of  such  proof,  the 
plaintiff  concludes  that  the  defendant,  in  accordance  with  his 
contract,  has  forfeited  all  his  earned  wages  and  all  the  effects 
which  he  had  here  in  this  country  and,  furthermore,  that  he  is  to 
be  arbitrarily  punished  for  having  traded  those  forbidden  peltries. 
With  costs. 

1 1  Whereas    M ichiel    Jansz    on    October    1 0,    1 648,    was 
arrested  by  Director  Slichtenhorst  within  the  limits  of  the  juris- 
diction of  the  colony  and  without  furnishing  sureties  has  ventured 
to  move  into  another  jurisdiction,  so  that  he  has  not  only   [vio- 
lated] the  jurisdiction  of  the  court  and  the  high  and  low  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  honorable  patroon,  but  also  has  [acted  in  contempt  of] 
our  aforesaid  patroon  whose  place  we  here  occupy  [  ] 
[                                         ]  broken  the  arrest  [  ] 
[                                       I  fine  [                                ]. 

[  1  1  v]  Director  Brandt  van  Slechtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against 
Michiel  Jansz,  defendant. 

Whereas  the  defendant  has  heretofore,  at  the  time  of  the  war 
at  the  Manhatans,  ventured  to  barter  forbidden  ammunition  with 
the  savages  against  some  peltries,  at  the  expense  of  much 
Christian  blood  of  our  Christian  neighbors,  who  are  of  the  same 
religion  and  subject  to  the  same  sovereignty  and  power,  only  to 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  39 

satisfy  his  vulgar  greed,  contrary  to  the  placard  of  the  High  and 
Mighty  Lords  the  States  General  and  the  ordinance  of  the 
honorable  council  of  New  Netherland,  the  plaintiff  concludes 
that  the  defendant  has  forfeited  his  life,  or  else  is  liable  to  such 
arbitrary  punishment  and  heavy  fine  as  the  honorble  court  shall 
consider  fit  to  impose,  and  [demands  that]  in  addition  he  be 
condemned  to  pay  fifty  guilders  [to  the  director]  by  way  of  a 
fee  or  fine,  according  to  the  aforesaid  placard  and  ordinance. 

And  whereas  the  defendant,  or  person  arrested  in  the  year 
1644,  ventured  to  send  his  servants  out  of  the  colony  with  an 
order  in  his  own  handwriting  and  about  50  beavers,  without  pay- 
ing any  recognition  for  them  either  at  Fort  Orange  or  at  the 
Manhatans,  and  whereas  these  servants  having  come  to  the 
assistant  in  Fort  De  Hoop,1  sold  said  beavers  to  the  English  who 
were  stationed  at  the  trading  house  of  Mr  Wytingh,  contrary  to 
the  express  order  of  the  aforesaid  placard,  the  honorable  plain- 
tiff concludes  that  the  aforesaid  beavers  or  the  value  thereof  are 
subject  to  confiscation  and  [demands]  that  in  addition  he  be 
condemned  to  pay  a  fine  of  fifty  guilders  and  also  be  arbitrarily 
punished  as  an  example  to  others,  according  to  the  aforesaid 
ordinance.  Cum  expensis. 

Was  signed:     [B.  v.  Slichtenhorst,  Director] 
Agrees  with  the  original, 
Which  I  certify, 

A.  DE  HoGES,  Secretary. 


1  Fort  Hope,   on  the  Connecticut  river. 


40  Colony  of 


[  1  2v]  *  Court  proceedings,  October  22  Anno  1  648 

Jan  Verbeeck,  upon  sufficient  security,  is  granted  permission  to 
pay  his  debt  to  the  honorable  patroon  in  five  instalments,  namely, 
fl.  1  50  a  year,  and  the  fifth  payment  to  discharge  the  entire  debt, 
provided  that  if  he  builds  on  tike  west  shore,  he  shall  die  first  year 
be  free  from  paying  rent. 

Jacon  Jansz  Stol 
Goosen  Gerritsz 
Pieter  Hertgers 
Corn:  van  Es 
Pieter  Claesz 

The  director  promises  to  help  the  widow  of  Mattys,  deceased,2 
get  the  fl.  5o  due  her,  either  through  Willem  Jeuriaensz,  or  else 
at  the  very  first  opportunity. 

Finding  that  Nicolaes  Coorn  has  presumed  to  go  to  the  Man- 
hatans,  notwithstanding  he  was  ordered  by  the  court  on  the  1  9th 
of  August  of  this  year  to  show  and  deliver  to  us  within  1  4  days 
after  that  date  a  more  complete  account  of  everything,  as  many 
things  were  found  to  have  been  omitted  and  passed  over,  of  which 
we  have  never  seen  any  account  but  which  he  had  nevertheless 
November  15,  'm  njs  possession,  we  therefore  once  more  order 

1649,  the  notice        ,  .  .  KT.      .  „  .,.,.., 

was  served  and  *ne  salc*  Nicolaes  Coorn  peremptorily  within  eight 

[a  copy  of  the  days  after  the  service  of  the  next  notice  to  present 

datehMded'to  anc^   deliver   the   account,   under   penalty   of   the 

him.  lord's  highest  fine. 

[13]  The  honorable  court  having  more  than  once  had  the 
person  of  Goossen  Gerritsz  urged  by  the  honorable  director  of 
this  colony  to  allow  himself  to  be  employed  in  the  capacity  of 
magistrate  (gerechtspersoon)  ,  and  [said  Goossen  Gerritsz]  now 
appearing,  he  declares  : 


1  Folio  1 2  recto  is  blank. 

2  Mathijs  Jansz. 


Court  Minutes,   1648-1652  41 

1  First,  that  he  considers  himself  incompetent  for  it. 

2  Secondly,  that  he  owns  no  house  and  lot  here  and  there- 

fore is  not  bound  to  serve. 

3  Thirdly,  as  thus  far  he  is  not  on  a  free  basis  with  the 

patroon,  he  can  not  resolve  to  accept  the  office,  but  as 
soon  as  that  comes  about,  he  will  offer  the  patroon  his 
services  in  everything. 

Which  reasons  having  been  duly  weighed  and  considered  by 
us,  we  have  deemed,  as  we  still  deem,  that  they  are  not  of  such 
weight  that  this  good  cause  should  thereby  suffer  and  Goossen 
Gerritsz  be  held  excusable. 

Therefore,  once  more  and  for  the  last  time,  we  kindly  request 
him  voluntarily  to  accept  the  vacant  office ;  otherwise,  though  very 
reluctantly,  we  shall  find  ourselves  forced  to  resort  to  other 
means. 

Goossen  Gerritsz  accepts  the  magistrate's  office,  provided  he 
may  first  make  a  trip  to  the  Manhatans,  which  is  granted. 

[14]1  Director  Slichtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against  Cornells  van 
Es,  defendant. 

Whereas  on  the  1 4th  of  September  1 648,  at  the  public  leasing, 
where  Director  Slichtenhorst,  sitting  with  the  commissioners,  oc- 
cupied the  place  of  the  honorable  patroon,  Cornelis  Hendricksz 
Van  Es  three  several  times,  in  the  presence  of  the  Reverend 
Domine  Megapolensis  and  publicly  in  the  presence  of  all  the 
bystanders,  dared  to  call  the  director  a  cheat,  charging  him  with 
having  cheated  his  son-in-law,  Peeler  Claesz,  and  stating  that 
the  director  did  not  keep  his  word  with  his  son-in-law,  [said 
director]  brought  these  slanderous  words  to  the  attention  of  the 
aforesaid  gentlemen  in  the  presence  of  all  the  bystanders  and 
cited  him  to  appear  on  the  first  court  day  and  on  the  21st  of 
September  summoned  him  once  more  to  appear  before  the  afore- 
said court,  to  be  held  on  the  1  st  of  October  1 648.  And  whereas 
Director  Slichtenhorst  has  taken  these  gross  insults  much  to  heart 


1  Folio  1  3  verso  tlank. 


42  Colony  of 

and  would  not  willingly  have  suffered  them  for  anything  under 
the  sun,  he  being  a  person  of  good  standing  and  reputation  and 
moreover  the  director  and  representative  of  the  honorable  patroon 
as  proprietor  of  the  colony  here,  and  it  being  intolerable  that  a 
subject,  by  attacking  his  honor  and  character,  should  thus,  with- 
out right  or  reason,  several  times  publicly,  unjustly  and  grossly 
insult  his  overlord,  which  constitutes  a  capital  crime;  therefore, 
it  is  requested  that  he  give  security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
judgment  and  his  life,  and  furthermore,  that  the  offender  shall 
go  or  be  taken  into  custody,  as  the  director  also  offers  to  do,  and 
prosecute  the  case  from  day  to  day,  during  two  terms,  on  con- 
dition that  the  costs  shall  be  paid  by  the  party  who  is  in  the 
wrong,  and  furthermore  according  to  law.  The  director  of  the 
aforesaid  colony  demands  that  Van  Es,  being  the  offender,  shall 
appear  before  the  full  council  and  declare  that  he  is  sorry 
that  he  uttered  the  aforesaid  slanders  and  that  he  knows 
nothing  of  the  aforesaid  director  but  what  is  consistent  with 
honor  and  virtue.  Furthermore,  that  in  addition  the  offender 
shall  be  condemned  to  pay  for  each  time  a  fine  of  [  ] , 

said  money  to  be  deposited  with  the  court  and  this  to  three  times 
the  amount  of  the  fine  provided  by  the  resolution  and  ordinance 
of  May  [  ],  1648;  all  cum  expensis. 

[  14v]  Also,  that  Van  Es  be  condemned  to  pay  the  same  fines 
as  above  because  on  September  14,  1648,  at  the  public  leasing, 
after  everybody  had  been  separately  called  into  the  room  and  the 
conditions  had  been  read  to  them  in  order  to  proceed  with  the 
leasing,  according  to  the  day  and  hour  appointed  therefor  at 
least  two  weeks  in  advance,  he  ventured  in  collusion  with  others 
to  make  trouble  in  order  that  the  honorable  patroon's  property 
should  not  be  leased  at  a  proper  figure  and  the  day  result  in 
failure,  the  said  Van  Es  and  his  son-in-law,  Pieter  Claesz, 
together  with  others,  in  order  to  achieve  their  wicked  purpose, 
leaving  the  room  in  the  presence  of  the  said  director,  the  domine 
and  the  commissioners.  And  as  this  is  a  matter  of  great  conse- 
quence, the  aforesaid  director  demands  that  Van  Es  shall  for 
that  crime  be  once  more  condemned  to  pay  the  aforesaid  fine  of 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  43 

300  guilders,  by  virtue  of  the  aforesaid  ordinance,  and  in  addition 
be  arbitrarily  punished  as  an  example  to  others.  Cum  expensis. 

The  Honorable  Director  Slichtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against  Pieter 
Claesz,  defendant. 

A  complaint  on  account  of  slander  is  likewise  brought  against 
the  person  of  Pieter  Claesz,  because  he  has  several  times,  openly 
and  before  everybody,  said  to  the  director:  "  You  must  acknowl- 
edge that  you  are  a  liar,"  and  in  addition  accused  the  director  of 
cheating  him  and  not  keeping  his  word,  as  an  honest  man  should, 
of  which  proof  is  demanded.  Furthermore,  [the  director]  brings 
the  same  charges  against  him  as  against  Van  Es  and  also 
demands  that  Pieter  Claesz  shall  be  condemned  to  pay  three 
times  fl.  6,  for  having  at  the  serving  of  the  summons  on  September 
21,1 648,  three  times  in  the  presence  of  the  domine  and  the  afore- 
said director  wickedly  sworn  by  God's  holy  name  and  blood, 
that  he  was  no  Christian  and  [  ] .  Therefore, 

that  he  shall  for  each  time  and  as  often  as  three  times  be  con- 
demned to  pay  a  fine  of  six  guilders  and  in  addition  be  arbitrarily 
punished,  according  to  the  aforesaid  ordinance  of  May  [  ], 
Anno  [  1 648] ,  with  costs. 

The  plaintiff  also  demands  that  the  defendant  as 
security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment  in  every 
respect  shall  be  immediately  taken  into  custody  and 
in  addition  [be  asked  to  deposit]  two  hundred 
guilders. 

[15]   Court  proceedings,  November   19  Anno   1648 

This  day,  Goossen  Gerritsz  has  taken  the  oath  of  fidelity  as 
magistrate  before  Director  Slichtenhorst. 

Claes  Gerritsz  here,  before  the  court,  denies  and  declares 
untrue  the  statement  made  by  Director  Slichtenhorst  that  he, 
Claes  Gerritsz,  four  years  ago,  had  traded  more  than  one  hundred 
beavers  on  the  island  of  Cornelis  Segersz. 

Claes  Gerritsz  declares  here  that  Arendt  van  Curler  gave  him 
permission  to  trade. 


44  Colony  of  RensselaersTv^cJf 

Claes  Gerritsz  says  that  Ruth  Jacobsz  told  him  that  he  was  at 
liberty  to  strike  Jan  Dircksz,  Englishman,1  if  he  were  obstinate, 

N.  B.  January  18,  Director  Slichtenhorst,  in  my  presence, 
served  notice  on  Cornelis  Segersz  that  he,  Cornelis,  on  May  14, 
1648,  told  Mr  Slichtenhorst  that  Claes  Gerritsz  four  years  ago 
dwelt  with  him  and  in  that  year  had  traded  more  than  one  hun- 
dred beavers,  which  statement  of  the  director  the  said  Cornelis 
did  not  contradict,  but  tacitly  practically  admitted. 

Acknowledged  by  me, 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary  and  witness 

/ 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  vice  Jochem  Kettelheym, 
against  Jacob  Lambertsz,  defendant. 

Each  party  to  be  condemned  to  do  likewise. 
In  the  first  place,  the  honorable  plaintiff  offers  all  his  readily 
available  property,  amounting  to  the  sum  of  fl.  2500,  and  to 

deliver  therefor fl.     2500 

For  so  much  as  is  due  to  him  from  the  Vlackte  or 

Corler,  about fl.       200 

Cornelis  Segersz  [  ] 

[  ]elis  shall  Cornelis  [  ] 

[  ]  Evert  Pels  and  the  [Goyer?] 

[  ] 

[15v]  November  26,  1648,  Jan  Appel  filed  an  answer  in 
behalf  of  Michiel  Jansz. 

Director  Slichtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against  the  wife  of  Cornelis 
van  Es  and  Van  Es,  as  husband  and  guardian  of  his  wife.  First 
default. 

Whereas  the  wife  of  Cornelis  van  Es  on  September  1 8,  Anno 
1648,  greatly  slandered  Councilor  de  Vos  in  his  private  and 
official  capacity,  which  defamation  de  Vos  called  upon  the 


1  Given  in  Van  Rensselaer  Bowler  Mss,  p.  818,  as  from  Amersfoort. 
but  not  otherwise. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  45 

director  and  the  Domine  to  witness,  to  wit,  that  he,  de  Vos,  was 
accused  of  having  said  that  if  he  had  a  seat  in  the  government  he 
would  make  them  suffer  for  the  insults  which  they  had  heretofore 
offered  to  him,  de  Vos,  of  which  proof  is  demanded,  or  else,  in 
default  of  proof,  the  plaintiff,  with  the  director,  as  joint  com- 
plainant, demand  that  she  shall  appear  before  the  full  council 
and  acknowledge  that  she  said,  too  much  and  that  she  is  heartily 
sorry,  and  furthermore,  that  she  shall  be  condemned  to  pay  a 
fine  of  six  guilders,  to  be  pledged  immediately,  and  in  addition 
be  arbitrarily  punished  as  an  example  to  others,  according  to  the 
ordinance  of  May  28,  1 648,  cum  expensis. 

The  same,  against  Cornelis  van  Es. 

Whereas  Cornelis  van  Es  was  cited  on  October  29,  1 648,  for 
having  out  of  spite  threshed  out  a  quantity  of  oat  straw,  which 
in  winter  is  the  best  fodder,  and  thrown  the  straw  on  the  manure 
pile,  to  the  detriment  of  the  next  lessee  and  the  patroon's  horses 
and  cattle,  which  is  a  matter  of  grave  consequence,  which  in  a 
land  of  justice  neither  can  nor  ought  to  be  tolerated,  the  plaintiff 
demands  that  said  van  Es  be  condemned  to  pay  a  fine  of  25 
guilders  and  to  make  good  the  loss  of  the  straw,  cum  expensis, 
the  more  so  as  the  said  van  Es  on  the  18th  of  November  afore- 
said positively  told  the  director  that  he  would  not  give  the 
patroon's  horses  any  oats,  much  less  hunt  them  up  before  the 
winter,  when  one  ought  to  put  them  in  the  stable,  as  another  had 
driven  them  off  and  he  did  not  care  to  claim  them,  but  preferred 
to  let  them  run  wild,  and  also  protested  that  he  would  not  do  it, 
for  which  reason  the  director  on  the  1 9th  ditto  attached  the  per- 
son of  van  Es  and  all  his  readily  convertible  and  inconvertible 
property,  forbidding  him  to  leave  the  colony  under  penalty  of 
the  lord's  highest  fine,  to  prevent  all  loss  and  damage  as  to  horses 
and  cattle  through  neglect  or  mischief  on  his  part,  or  through 
accident,  and  also  as  security  for  the  rent.  [The  director 
further  demands]  that  he  shall  vacate  the  house  and  barn  next 
New  Year  and  shortly  render  to  the  director  a  specified  account 


46  Colony  of 

of  everything,  including  the  trade,  for  each  year  separately; 
otherwise  the  director  shall  place  his  loss  on  that  account  at  the 
sum  of  [  ],  with  lawful  damages,  cum  expensis. 

[  1 6]   Court  proceedings,  December  3  Anno  1 648 

Whereas  Jacob  Lambertsz  has  heretofore  accused  the  person 
of  Jochem  Kuttelheym  of  being  an  informer  and  we,  for  reasons 
us  thereunto  moving,  consider  it  best  that  the  matter  do  not  go 
further,  therefore,  Jacob  Lambertsz  aforesaid  declares  here 
before  the  court  that  he  knows  nothing  about  the  person  of 
Jochem  Kettelheym  but  what  is  honorable  and  virtuous,  Jochem, 
on  having  this  acknowledgment  recorded,  declaring  the  same  of 
Jacob  Lambertsz,  without  prejudice  to  the  action  of  the  honor- 
able plaintiff.  Cum  expens/s. 

JACOB  LAMBERSEN 

This  is  the  X  mark  of  JOCHEM  KETTELHEYM, 
made  with  his  own  hand 

In  case  any  one  upon  sufficient  evidence  is  found  guilty  of 
injuring  the  honor  of  Jochem  Kettelheym,  calling  him  an 
informer,  he  will  be  fined  ten  guilders,  without  prejudice  to  the 
director's  further  demand  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the 
case. 

Pieter  Claesz  declares  as  many  as  three  times  here  before  the 
court  that  he  is  sorry  that  he  swore,  the  [director  retaining  his 
action  against  him  according  to  the]  ordinance.  Cum  expenses. 

[16v]  December  1648 

Claes  Uyllespiegel  summoned  twice  and  fined  once  on  account 
of  over-driving  the  horses,  first  on  December  1 ,  and  on  the 
[10th]  of  December  notified  for  the  second  time  that  he  was 
fined  and  in  case  he  had  any  objection  to  make,  to  come  to  the 
court  a  week  from  next  Thursday,  being  the  1  7th  of  December. 


Court  Minutes,  /  648-16 52  47 

December  1648  Claes  Uyllespiegel  cited  twice  and  fined  once 
on  account  of  driving  the  horses,  first  on  the 
1st  of  December,  and  on  the  tenth  of  Decem- 
ber for  the  second  time,  being  notified  that  he 
was  condemned  and  in  case  he  had  any  objec- 
tion, that  he  must  appear  in  court  on  Thursday 
week,  being  the  1  7th  of  this  month. 

1 2  Evert  Pels  summoned  on  account  of  wounding 
Tomes  Jansz.    Also  because  he,  or  his  servant, 
took  another  man's  cow  without  his  consent. 
Also  on  account  of  beating  Claes  Tyssen. 
Also  on  account  of  his  delivered  grain  which 
he  received  from  Broer  Cornelis  for  his  labor 
and  which  was  delivered  to  Evert  Pels,  as  he, 
Pels,  admitted  on  the  aforesaid  date. 

Said  Pels  was  summoned  also  on  account  of 
wages  earned  by  Claes  Tyssen  and  on  account 
of  the  damage  of  the  pease.  Finally,  E.  Pels 
was  summoned  also  on  account  of  the  abusive 
language  used  by  his  wife  in  addressing  the 
director,  for  all  of  which  together  he  must 
make  answer  on  Thursday  next,  being  the 
1  7th  of  this  month. 

13  Peter1  is  cited  by  Hans  Vos  to  fulfil  his  [con- 
tract of]  service. 

1  7  Symon  Joesten  is  summoned  and  called  upon, 
on  pain  of  being  fined  the  maximum  amount, 
to  give  testimony  to  the  truth  and  has  refused 
to  make  oath  in  the  presence  of  Mr  Hoogens. 
On  the  19th  ditto  Symon  Joesten  was  again 
summoned  and  admonished  once  more  to  make 
a  declaration. 

1  Pieter  Claesz. 


48 


Colony  of 


21  Huybert  was  summoned  for  the  second  time, 
[on  pain]  of  3  guilders,  to  give  testimony  to 
the  truth. 

December  Joshem  Kettelheym  and  Jurien,1  Pels's  serv- 

ant, summoned  to  give  testimony  to  the  truth 
upon  interrogatories. 

Gisbert,  the  tavernkeeper,2  summoned  to  give 
testimony. 

Hans  in  Cluys  is  summoned  to  appear  in  court 
on  Thursday  next. 
Jacob  Lambertsz  summoned. 

6  January  Jochem  Kettelheym  [  ]   summoned 

to   give   testimony   about   Van   Nes   and   the 
beating   of   Hans  Vos.      Peter  Claesz   sum- 
moned to  [appear  in  court] 
[  ]  cited  to  appear  on  the 

21st  [  ]. 

Symon  Jansz  cited    [  ]    on  pain  of 

t  ]. 

[17]  The  Hon.  Director  Slechtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against 
Claes  Gerritsz,  defendant. 

Having  heretofore  given  sufficient  security  to  satisfy  the  judg- 
ment, the  honorable  plaintiff  says  that  the  defendant  was  engaged 
as  farmer  (bou^necht)  by  the  honorable  patroon  on  the  26th 
of  May  anno  1640,  which  He  still  is  on  the  same  terms  as  the 
former  farmers,  to  wit,  Gerrit  de  Rues,  Cornelis  Tuenisz,  Cor- 
nelis  Maesz,  Zymon  Walichsz  and  Michiel  Jansz,  according  to 
the  contracts  of  the  defendant  and  the  aforesaid  persons,  which 
contracts  specifically  mention,  and  by  every  one  has  been  agreed 
and  sworn  to,  that  they  are  not  to  trade  in  peltries  on  forfeiture 
of  their  wages  and  all  their  effects,  applying  all  the  more  to  the 
effects  of  the  defendant,  who  has  never  had  permission,  nor  even 
asked,  so  to  do.  To  whicK  must  be  added  that  no  one  has  been 


1Juriaen  Bestval. 

2  Gysbert  Cornelisz,  from  Weesp. 


Minutes  of  December   3,    1648,  probably  in  the  handwriting  of  Gerrit 

van  Wenckum 


Court  Minutes,  /  648-1 6 52  49 

allowed  to  sell  forbidden  ammurtition  to  the  savages,  on  pain  of 
being  punished  with  death,  and  in  case  any  one  denounces  any 
one  for  having  acted  contrary  thereto,  he  shall  receive  a  reward 
of  fifty  guilders.  And  whereas  the  honorable  plaintiff  on  the 
28th  of  September  anno  1 648  found  in  the  defendant's  posses- 
sion six  bars  of  lead,  he  is  liable  to  pay  the  aforesaid  fine  in 
accordance  with  the  placard  of  the  Lords  States  [General]  and 
the  Hon.  Chartered  West  India  Company,  dated  the  3 1  st  of 
March  anno  1639,  and  the  ordinance  of  the  honorable  patroon 
and  also  of  the  fort  and  the  colony,  dated  the  8th  of  May  anno 
164 [5?].  Granting  even  that  the  defendant  had  obtained  con- 
sent to  trade  —  which  he  in  no  wise  had  —  like  Master  Abra- 
ham,1 Henrick  Albertsz,  Reyer  Stoffelsz,  Sander  Leenersz  and 
others,  who  contracted  with  the  honorable  patroon  to  trade,  the 
defendant  would  nevertheless  be  bound  each  time  to  report  and 
specify  the  number  of  all  such  peltries  and  to  send  them  to  the 
patroon  and  to  no  one  else,  and  in  addition  be  obliged  to  pay 
one  guilder  for  each  beaver  as  well  as  one  sixth  part  to  the  honor- 
able patroon,  or  his  agent,  on  pain  of  confiscation  of  all  the 
peltries  and  furthermore  of  all  the  defendant's  effects,  according 
to  the  contracts  of  the  aforesaid  persons.  In  addition  to  all  this 
the  defendant  has  been  bold  enough,  contrary  to  the  express  order 
and  sentence  of  this  court,  dated  the  23d  of  June  anno  1645,  and 
notwithstanding  all  this,  to  venture  to  carry  on  the  trade  continu- 
ously on  his  own  authority,  without  paying  any  recognition  or 
entering  any  peltries,  in  spite  of  the  honorable  patroon's  order  to 
contract  and  the  sentence  of  the  court,  whereby  the  defendant 
has  committed  the  highest  offense,  which  in  a  land  of  justice 
neither  can  nor  ought  to  remain  unpunished,  the  defendant  having 
violated  thereby  not  only  the  patroon's  high  and  low  jurisdiction, 
but  also  acted  in  contempt  of  [17v]  the  court  here  and  in  the 
highest  degree  offended  the  Lords  States  [General] ,  whose  place 
we  occupy  here.  The  honorable  plaintiff,  for  the  reasons  afore- 


1  Abraham  Staets,   surgeon. 


50  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvyck 

said,  therefore  demands  that  the  defendant  within  forteen  days 
shall  make  an  accurate  return  of  all  the  peltries  traded  by  him, 
specifying  the  number  for  each  year  separately  from  the  year 
1 640  to  this  date,  in  default  of  which  the  plaintiff  shall  count  the 
loss  at  ten  hundred  guilders  in  addition  to  legal  damages. 
Furthermore,  that  he  shall  be  condemned  to  give  security  for  the 
payment  of  50  guilders  aforesaid  and  that  on  account  of  his 
offense,  to  wit,  that  the  defendant  without  consent  has  traded  on 
his  own  authority,  he  shall  be  condemned  to  pay  a  fine  of  500 
guilders,  and  that  in  addition  he  shall  forfeit  all  his  effects  and 
be  arbitrarily  punished  as  an  example  to  others,  cum  expensis. 
And  all  this  without  prejudice  to  the  plaintiff's  further  causes  of 
action,  both  on  account  of  the  fighting  engaged  in  by  the 
defendant  and  the  selling  or  bartering  of  forbidden  ammunition, 
and  on  account  of  the  confiscation  and  having  traded  contrary  to 
the  sentence  and  the  ordinance. 

December  1  7,  Reyntgen,1  the  skipper,  and  Slichtenhorst  have 
attached  the  wagoner's  2  wages  in  the  hands  of  Evert  Pels. 

[  1 8]    Extraordinary  session,  December   1 6  Anno   1 648 

The  parties,  to  wit,  Willem  de  Key  and  Thomas  Chamber, 
as  husband  and  guardian  of  his  wife,  in  a  dispute  about  two 
ankers  of  brandy,  are  ordered  to  present  additional  evidence  and 
proof  for  our  further  information. 

Court  Proceedings,  December  1  7  Anno  1 648 

Director  Slichtenhorst,  prosecutor  and  plaintiff,  against  Claes 
Teunisz  and  some  horse  racers  (paerden  jachters),  for  judgment 
according  to  the  petition  of  the  honorable  director. 

Whereas  those  guilty  of  riding  at  excessive  speed,  according 
to  the  apostil  on  the  petition  to  that  effect,  are  declared  to  have 


1  Reynier  Thymensz?  Cf.    Van  Rensselaer  Bowler  Mss,  p.  815. 

2  Jacob  Aertsz. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  51 

forfeited  six  guilders  for  each  offense,  in  addition  to  the  damage 
done  to  the  horses,  each  person,  moreover,  having  been  sum- 
moned to  appear  on  this  day  to  defend  himself;  and  whereas 
Claes  Uylenspiegel,  three  several  times,  yes,  even  twice  on  the 
same  day,  notwithstanding  the  fine  and  the  prohibition  and  warn- 
ing by  the  honorable  director  and  the  prohibition  of  their  honors' 
ordinance,  out  of  pure  mischief  and  in  spite  of  the  court,  has 
presumed  to  ride  past  the  director's  door  as  fast  as  the  horse  could 
run,  he,  Claes,  always  having  the  lead  over  the  others,  whereby 
he  has  not  only  violated  [the  authority  of]  the  honorable  patroon 
in  his  high  and  low  jurisdiction  and  [that  of]  the  court  here, 
but  also  [that  of]  the  Lords  States  General  whose  places  we 
occupy  and  committed  the  highest  crime  [against  them]  ;  there- 
fore, the  honorable  plaintiff  demands  that  the  aforesaid  Claes 
shall  be  publicly  exposed  in  the  pillory  and  be  banished  from  the 
colony,  in  accordance  with  the  custom  of  the  fatherland,  where 
those  who  disobey  and  disregard  the  lord's  prohibition  and  ban- 
ishment are  punished  with  death;  or  that  the  same  shall  be 
apprehended  and  for  the  first  offense  be  [confined]  for  four 
days,  for  [the  second  offense  eight  days],  and  for  the  third 
offense  sixteen  [days,  and  in  addition]  [18v]  be  exposed  and 
banished  as  above  written,  as  an  example  to  others ;  cum  expenses. 
And  that  all  the  others,  for  the  damage  and  abuse  of  the  horses, 
in  addition  to  a  fine  of  one  pound  Flemish,  shall  for  each  offense 
pay  three  guilders  to  the  poor  and  furthermore  be  arbitrarily 
punished;  cum  expensis. 

N.  B.  Their  honors  will  please  do  their  duty,  in  order  that 
the  dumb  animals  may  not  again  do  justice  themselves  and  put 
the  court  to  shame,  as  has  happened  before. 

Hans  Vos,  being  summoned  to  appear  by  Pieter  de  Boer  on 
account  of  his  contract  of  service  for  four  months,  which  he  here 
admits  and  promises  to  fulfil,  is  ordered  to  fulfil  the  same  and  to 
satisfy  Pieter,  on  pain  of  paying  the  fine  imposed  heretofore  on 
Jacob  Aertsz,  ivaegenaer  (wagoner),  in  case  he  remains  in 
default. 


52  Colony  of 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Evert  Pels,  defend- 
ant, for  having  wounded  Thomas  Jansz  in  the  head  with  a  piece 
of  wood  and  drawing  blood.  Demands  condemnation  according 
to  the  ordinance  of  the  Hon.  Chartered  West  India  Company 
at  the  Manhatans,  or  of  Amsterdam,  and  as  Evert  Pels  had  his 
servant  get  the  canoe  of  Thomas  Jansz  without  his  knowledge 
or  consent,  the  plaintiff  maintains  that  Evert  Pels  has  forfeited 
the  sum  of  25  guilders  according  to  the  former  ordinance,  all 
cum  expensis. 

The  same,  against  the  wife  of  Evert  Pels. 

Whereas  she  slandered  the  honorable  director  and  the  other 
members  of  the  court  in  general,  the  honorable  plaintiff  concludes 
that  she  is  liable  to  a  fine  of  300  guilders  in  accordance  with  the 
ordinance,  and  demands  that  she  be  fined  five  times  six  guilders, 
cum  expensis. 

[19]  Evert  Pels  is  ordered  to  pay  and  satisfy  the  26  guilders 
which  he  owes  Claes  Tyssen,  in  money  or  goods,  as  stipulated, 
cum  expensis,  saving  his  claim  against  Cornelis  Teunisz. 

The  honorable  court,  having  considered  the  wilful  violation 
of  our  former  ordinance  by  those  who  ride  their  horses  at  a  reck- 
less speed,  hereby  condemn  each  offender  for  each  violation  to 
pay  the  stipulated  fine.  But  as  to  Claes  Teunisz  called  Uylen- 
spiegel,  observing  the  mischief  and  recklessness  committed  by 
him  in  spite  of  the  express  prohibition  [of  such  riding],  he  is 
hereby,  on  pain  of  corporal  punishment,  warned  not  to  disregard 
the  words,  admonition  and  prohibition  of  the  honorable  director, 
especially  [when  acting]  against  the  ordinances  and  orders  of 
the  honorable  court.  This  time,  therefore,  by  way  of  mitigation 
of  sentence,  only  a  fine,  as  above,  is  imposed  upon  him. 

The  honorable  court,  for  reasons  them  thereunto  moving,  have 
granted  Claes  Gerritsz  time  until  one  month  from  this  date  to 
settle  his  account,  on  condition  that  he  shall  forfeit  one  pound 
Flemish  for  each  week  that  he  remains  in  default  after  the  afore- 
said time  and  of  giving  security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
judgment. 


Last  part  of  minutes  of  December  1  7,  1  648,  in  handwriting  of  Anthony 
de  Hooges.  Below,  bond  of  Pieter  Hartgers  for  the  return  of  a  horse, 
in  handwriting  of  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  53 

28  January  1649  Having   seen    the   honorable   director's    corn- 

Copy  of  sentence  plajnt  against  Claes  Gerritsz  for  beating  [Jan 
[Jan  Dircksz]  Dircksz] ,  which  Claes  Gerritsz  has  acknowl- 
Englishman.  edged,  [he]  is  condemned  [  ]. 

[  19v]  Cornelis  Hendricksz  van  Es  repeats  his  charge  that  the 
director  wronged  his  son-in-law,1  which  he  is  to  prove. 

Cornelis  Hendricksz  van  Es  having  several  times  by  oppro- 
brious words  slandered  the  person  of  the  Hon.  Director  Slichten- 
horst,  according  to  the  complaint  instituted  in  the  matter,  of 
which  complaint  a  copy  was  handed  to  him  three  weeks  ago,  and 
[said  van  Es]  now  appearing  in  court,  he  persists  that  the  honor- 
able director  wronged  or  unjustly  treated  his  son-in-law,  Pieter 
Claesz.  Which  bald  assertion  remaining  without  any  further 
evidence  or  proof,  it  is  considered  a  great  crime  that  such  slander 
should  be  so  loosely  uttered. 

Appeared  Willem  Kay,  together  with  Peter  Hartgers,  his 
brother-in-law,1  which  said  Peter  Hartgers  has  lawfully  bound 
himself  as  surety  for  the  return  within  fourteen  days,  in  as  good 
condition  as  it  now  is,  of  the  horse  of  the  Vlacte  called  Ham- 
stien,  with  the  saddle.  And  in  case  the  aforesaid  horse  should 
be  injured,  [he  binds  himself]  to  make  good  the  damage,  and  if 
it  should  die  or  stay  away  to  pay  one  hundred  and  twenty  guil- 
ders for  it,  cash.  Which  said  conditions  the  aforesaid  Hartgers 
has  agreed  to  in  court  with  a  clasp  of  the  hand,  on  the  21st  of 
December  1648. 

[signed]   B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST 

On  the  27th  ditto  the  horse  was  returned  in  as  good  condition 
as  it  was  when  received. 


1  sn>ager,  a  word  which  may  mean  either  son-in-law,  or  brother-in-law, 
but  which  is  here  used  in  the  sense  of  son-in-law,  referring  to  Pieter  Claesz. 
See  minutes  of  May  22,  1649. 

1  swaeger.  Catrina  Roelofs,  the  wife  of  Willem  Key,  and  Sytje 
Roelofs,  the  wife  of  Pieter  Hartgers,  were  sisters,  both  being  daughters 
of  Anneke  Jans  Bogardus  by  her  first  husband,  Roelof  Jansz  from  Master- 
land.  The  entire  bond  is  in  the  handwriting  of  Van  Slichtenhorst. 


54  Colony  of  RensselaersTv^cff 

[20]    Extraordinary  session,  December   19  Anne  1648 

Resolved  that  the  honorable  director  shall  once  more  summon 
Evert  Pels  to  pay  the  wages  of  Claes  Tyssen  within  twice 
twenty-four  hours,  it  being  found  that  he  has  given  two  summer 
skins,  valued  at  16  guilders,  which  is  not  acceptable.  And  in 
case  he  refuses  to  pay,  the  director  is  to  advance  the  money, 
subject  to  the  restitution  of  double  the  amount. 

On  the  21st  ditto,  notice  was  served  on  Evert  Pels  in  the 
presence  of  Mr  Hoogens,  by  affixing  said  notice  to  the  door.1 

Cornelis  van  Es  and  Pieter  Claesz  declare  before  the  court 
here  that  they  have  nothing  to  say  about  the  person  of  the  honor- 
able director  but  what  is  right  and  honorable  and  that  they  are 
very  sorry  for  having  used  slanderous  language  against  the  honor- 
able director,  saving  the  honorable  director's  further  complaints, 
cum  expenses. 

Aknowledged  before  me, 

ANTONIO  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

The  Hon.  Director  Brandt  van  Slichtenhorst  by  this,  his 
signature,  promises  to  save  Rutger  Jacobsz  and  keep  him  harm- 
less from  all  loss  and  damage  which  may  be  caused  to  the  said 
Rutger  Jacobsz  by  the  Hon.  General  Petrus  Stuyvesant  or  his 
agents  on  account  of  the  building  which  he  intends  to  erect  near 
the  First  kill,2  toward  the  hill.  And  the  lease  of  the  said  house 
shall  begin  next  Easter  Anno  1649.  Done  in  the  colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck,  this  21st  of  December  Anno  1648. 

[B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST] 

[20v]  June  22,  1648,  Hans  Vos  was  dismissed  until  after 
harvest  time. 


1  Memorandum  in  the  handwriting  of  Van  Slichtenhorst. 

2  The  Rutten   kill.     See  Early  Records  of   the  City  and  County  of 
Albany,  2:43. 


Minutes  of  December  1  9,  1  648,  showing  signature  of  Anthony  de  Hooges, 

secretary 


Court  Minutes,   1648-1652  55 

December  23  Anno  1648 

Hans  Vos  again  engaged  as  court  messenger  for  the  period  of 
four  months  on  condition  that  he  is  to  receive  wages  on  the  basis 
of  50  guilders  a  years  and  shall  work  for  the  honorable  director 
two  or  three  days  a  week  at  one  guilder  a  day  in  addition  to  his 
wages  and  board  and  whenever  he  shall  work  for  Pieter  de  Boer 
he  shall  receive  wages  according  to  the  contract  between  them 
and  if  working  for  others  whatever  he  can  get.  He  shall  also  be 
held  in  the  morning  to  fetch  a  pail  of  water,  to  cut  fire  wood  and 
to  spade  one  half  of  the  garden,  without  receiving  wages  there- 
for. And  Hans  Vos  has  this  day  by  shaking  of  hands,  instead 
of  an  oath  taken  before  the  honorable  director,  promised  during 
the  aforesaid  time  faithfully  to  acquit  himself  of  all  his  duties. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:] 

This  contract  remaining  intact,  Hans  Vos  has  again  agreed 
to  serve,  on  condition  that  he  shall  receive  twenty  guilders  per 
month,  and  he  has  promised  to  work  one  day  a  week  for  the 
patroon  without  pay.  This  31st  of  January  Anno  1650.  His 
term  of  service  begins  New  Year  1650. 

Hans  Vos  has  confirmed  this  by 
the  shaking  of  hands  instead  of 
an  oath. 

Cornelis  Segersz  is  asked  whether  he  acknowledges  the  signa- 
ture which  was  put  by  him  under  the  contract  of  his  farm,  dated 
August  25,  1643,  to  be  his,  or  not,  and  if  he  does,  the  honor- 
able director  demands  that  he  be  condemned  to  fulfil  the  contract 

in  all  its  parts.     Cum  expensis. 

[Cornelis]  Segersz 

[admits  that  the]  signature 

[is  his  and  is  therefore]  bound 

[to  fulfil  the  contract  in]  all 
its  parts. 

[A.  DE  Hoo]cES,  Secretary 


56  Colony  of 

[21  ]  Director  Slichtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against  Hans  in  Cluys, 
defendant. 

Whereas  Hans  in  Cluys  *  has  twice,  even  as  recently  as  last 
Sunday  and  that  in  the  presence  of  the  Domine,  ventured  to  come 
by  force  into  the  director's  house  and  to  insult,  affront  and 
slander  him  in  the  highest  degree  with  respect  to  his  office,  and 
boldly  and  impudently  dared  to  ask  him  in  public  whether  he, 
Slichtenhorst,  was  officer  and  judge  alone  in  the  colony,  saying 
that  he  wanted  a  justification  of  his  sentence  from  him,  Slichten- 
horst, and  many  other  insolent  words,  of  which  proof  is 
demanded  while  the  court  is  in  session,  or  in  default  of  proof 
that  the  delinquent  by  sentence  of  this  honorable  court  shall  be 
declared  infamous  and  to  have  forfeited  the  sum  of  300  guilders 
for  having  spoken  rudely  and  insolently  to  the  director.  Con- 
sidering however  that  the  delinquent  has  but  small  wages,  [the 
director]  concludes  that  he  has  forfeited  each  time,  that  is  twice, 
10  guilders  and  [demands]  that  in  addition  he  be  declared 
infamous  and  furthermore  that  the  delinquent  be  kept  on  water 
and  bread  or  at  the  most  be  arbitrarily  punished  as  an  example 
to  others,  all  at  the  discretion  of  the  court,  cum  expenses. 
1 0  guilders  agreed  upon  in  the  presence 
of  the  Domine  and  finis. 

[21v]  Court  proceedings,  January  7  Anno  1649 

Jacob  Lambertsz  has  this  day  by  agreement  finally  paid  his 
fine  in  the  matter  of  his  former  dispute  with  the  honorable 
director  and  Jochem  Kettelheym. 

January  7  Anno  1649 

Cornelis  van  Es's  contract  regarding  his  farm  being  read  to 
him  word  for  word  by  the  secretary,  de  Hooges,  he  is  asked  by 
the  honorable  director  whether  he  acknowledges  the  same  or  not, 


1  Hans  Jansz,  from  Rotterdam. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  57 

whereupon  he  answers  that  he  acknowledges  it  in  all  its  parts 
and  provisions.  It  is  ordered  therefore  that  within  1 4  days,  after 
the  first  notice,  he  must  give  sufficient  security  for  the  judgment, 
and  in  case  he  fails  to  do  so  within  eight  days  after  that  date,  he 
shall  be  fined  double  the  amount,  and  so  forth. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:] 

The  1 4th  ditto  notice  was  served  on  van  Es  with  injunction  to 
van  Es  and  his  wife  not  to  molest  Andries  de  Vos  and  his  family 
by  word  or  deed  and  [the  contract]  was  once  more  read  to  him 
by  de  Hoogens. 

January  [?],  Vos  also  included  in  the  injunction. 

January  9  Anno   1649 

Gysbert  Cornelisz  being  questioned  in  regard  to  the  dispute 
between  Jan  van  Bremen  and  Hans  Vos,  Gysbert  declares  that 
Jan  van  Bremen  tried  to  put  Hans  Vos  out  of  his,  Gysbert's 
house,  whereupon  Gysbert  said  to  the  aforesaid  Jan  that  he  had 
nothing  to  say  in  his  house  and  if  he  wished  to  give  orders,  he 
should  do  so  in  his  own  house.  Furthermore,  that  Hans  was 
struck  by  Jan  while  Gysbert  was  away,  eating. 

[22]  Court  proceedings,  January  21   Anno   1649 

The  20th  ditto,  Poulyntje  l  was  summoned  for  having  in  an 
angry  mood  drawn  his  knife  on  Huybert,2  the  servant  of  de  Vos, 
in  the  brewery,  for  which  he  was  fined  fl,  1 00,  according  to  the 
ordinance.  Also,  because  said  Poulyntje  struck  Huybert  with 
his  fists  and  made  his  nose  bleed,  for  which  he  was  fined  the  like 
amount. 

Poulyntje  admits  that  he  struck  Huybert  in  such  a  way  that 
his  nose  bled. 


1Paulus  Jansz. 
2  Huybert  Jansz. 


58  Colony  of  RensselaersTvyclt 

As  regards  Cornells  van  Es: 

1  Judgment  of  fl.   150  with  interest;  also  fl.  36:15,  two  skins; 

with  costs. 

2  Judgment  on  account  of  the  oat  straw ;  "1      To  give  security 

with  costs.  J  for  both 

3  Sentence  on  account  of  slander  by  the  wife  of  van  Es. 

Jan  van  Bremen.  This  day,  the  1 5th  of  January  of  this  year, 
Jan  van  Bremen  was  summoned  for  having  in  the  spring,  at  the 
house  and  in  the  presence  of  Cryn  Cornelisz,  first  struck  Hans 
Vos  on  the  head  with  his  fist  and  then,  without  reason  or  excuse, 
drawn  his  knife  on  him  and  cut  him  about  the  head.  And 
whereas  the  said  van  Bremen  has  heretofore  engaged  in  fighting, 
he  therefore  owes  a  double  fine  according  to  the  ordinance,  so 
that  he  has  forfeited: 

for  fist  blows,  fl.  25  —  double  the  amount  fl.  50 
for  drawing  his  knife,  fl.  100;  double,  fl.  200 

March  30,  1648,  Jacob  Jansz  Stol  complained  of  violence 
commited  by  Jan  van  Bremen  at  night  on  his  door  and  windows, 
for  which  he  incurred  a  fine  of  fl.  1 50,  and  as  it  took  place  in  the 
night,  double  the  amount. 

Also  that  at  midnight  he  severely  wounded  Kit  Davits  in  the 
head  with  a  pair  of  tongs,  for  which  he  incurred  a  fine  of  fl.  300, 
or  double  the  amount,  fl.  600. 

Furthermore,  that  he,  van  Bremen,  made  bold  to  take  Hans 
Vos,  the  court  messenger,  by  the  arm  and  rudely  tried  to  push 
him  out  of  the  house  of  the  tavernkeeper,  or  another  man's  house, 
making  him  out  to  be  an  informer,1  all  without  cause  or  excuse, 
of  which  proof  is  demanded.  And  that  thereafter,  while  Hans 
Vos  was  quietly  standing  under  the  mantepiece,  smoking  his 
tobacco  pipe,  he  dealt  him  a  blow  on  the  head  with  his  fist.  All 
of  which  things  in  a  land  where  justice  is  administered  neither 


1  In  the  margin  is  written:  And  confirmed  this  on  the  23rd  of  January 
in  the  presence  of  Van  Bremen,  saying  that  he  called  said  Vos  a  thief 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  59 

can  nor  ought  to  be  tolerated,  but  should  be  promptly  and  arbi- 
trarily punished,  in  order  that  the  guilt  of  bloodshed  may  not 
come  upon  the  heads  of  the  patroon's  judges  [  ] 

[  ]. 

[22v]  Pieter  Claesz  offers  himself  before  the  court  as  surety 
for  Cornelis  van  Es  to  satisfy  all  judgments  in  actions  which  the 
honorable  director  may  bring  against  said  van  Es,  in  toto. 

Witness, 

A.   DE   HOOGES 

Andries  de  Vos  is  to  pay  for  the  patroon's  dues  on  his  mill 
at  Bethlehem  the  sum  of  fl.  62 : 1 0  —  a  year. 

January  29,  1649,  Cornelis,  called  Vossgen,  has  taken  the 
farm  next  to  Rem  Jansz,  smith,  to  the  north,  on  the  same  con- 
ditions as  others,  the  lease  whereof  shall  commence  next  Easter. 

The  ramafyer1  summoned  for  having  fought  on  the  4th  ditto 
in  such  a  way  that  a  piece  of  skin  was  torn  from  his  face.  Note. 

[23]    [Ordinance]  published  the  31st  of  January  Anno  1649 

The  honorable  director  and  commissioners  of  the  colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck,  finding  that  many  colonists  on  their  own 
authority  daily  use  the  patroon's  horses  to  draw  logs  and  stone  2 
and  thereby  cripple  said  horses  and  make  them  lame  and  stiff 
and  greatly  abuse  them,  contrary  to  the  good  intentions  and  pur- 
pose of  the  aforementioned  patroon  and  his  director  and  com- 
missioners who  have  put  the  said  horses  at  their  disposal  only 
for  the  purpose  of  doing  therewith  their  legitimate  farm  and  other 
work,  without  injuring  or  abusing  the  same;  and  finding  further- 
more that  some  drive  their  horses  until  they  are  warm  and  [tired] 
and  then  let  them  stand  in  the  cold,  hungry  and  thirsty,  before 
the  doors  of  the  tavernkeepers  and  other  persons,  thus  spoiling 
them;  THEREFORE,  their  honors  have  ordained,  as  they  do 


1  Jacob  Adriaensz,   wheelwright. 

2  At  this  time  there  was  considerable  building  going  on  in  the  colony. 


60  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvyck 

ordain  hereby,  that  no  one  shall  be  allowed  to  drive  the  patroon's 
horses  for  money  [by  the  hour]  or  by  the  load,  or  to  lend  them 
to  others  to  draw  wood  or  stone,  beyond  such  use  as  he  may  have 
to  make  of  them  himself  for  his  farm  or  household,  on  pain  of 
forfeiting  for  each  load  or  violation  [of  this  ordinance],  the  first 
time  three  guilders,  the  second  time  six  guilders,  the  third  time 
nine  guilders  and  arbitrary  correction. 

And  as  it  is  not  their  honors'  intention  to  prevent  any  one  from 
being  accommodated  for  his  money,  they  have  no  objection  if 
those  who  are  willing  to  drive  for  pay  or  by  the  load  purchase 
two  or  more  horses  at  their  own  expense  and  use  them  as  they 
please  to  accommodate  every  one.  Otherwise,  their  honors  will 
make  further  provision  in  the  matter. 

Every  one  is  to  govern  himself  accordingly. 

Thus  done  at  a  duly  attended  meeting 
[of  the  council]  and  published  on  the 
date  above  written. 
[23v]    Copy 

Apostil  granted  by  the  honorable  director  general  and  council 
of  New  Netherland  upon  the  petition  presented  by  Adriaen 
vander  Donck  at  the  meeting  of  January  21  Anno  1649. 

The  honorable  director  general  and  council  having  noted  the 
contents  of  the  petition  order  Director  Slechtenhorst  to  release 
the  grain  attached  by  him,  provided  that  the  petitioner  give 
security  for  the  compensation  for  the  horse,  for  which  Director 
Slichtenhorst  is  to  sue  the  petitioner  before  his  competent  judges. 
Thus  done  in  council  at  Fort  Amsterdam  in  New  Netherland. 
Underneath  was  written:  By  order  of  the  honorable  director 
and  council,  and  was  signed :  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven,  Secretary. 
Agrees  with  the  original  apostil,  Cornelis  van  Tienhoven, 
Secretary. 

Agrees  with  the  original  copy, 

Which  I  certify, 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  61 

I,  Brandt  van  Slichtenhorst,  in  the  capacity  of  director  of  the 
colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  notify  you,  Adriaen  vander  Donck, 
or  whatever  other  Christian  name  you  have,  and  let  you  know 
that  on  the  2d  of  January  1649,  in  my  capacity  aforesaid  I 
caused  the  court  messenger  of  this  colony  to  attach,  first,  two 
hundred  schepels  of  wheat  which  are  still  in  the  hands  of  Cornells 
Segersz,  per  balance  of  the  agreement  entered  into  with  the  afore- 
said Cornelis  Segersz,  and  whatever  else  belonging  to  you,  vander 
Donck,  is  in  the  custody  of  the  said  Cornelis  Segersz,  and  this 
in  order  to  recover  payment  or  compensation  for  a  black  stallion, 
valued  at  300  guilders,  and  5  cows  at  80  guilders  apiece,  belong- 
ing to  the  honorable  patroon  and  entrusted  to  the  hands  of  vander 
Donck,  with  the  interest  thereon.  So  that,  in  my  capacity  afore- 
said, I  hereby  summon  you,  vander  Donck,  for  so  far  as  you  may 
have  an  interest  in  the  aforesaid  wheat  and  other  property,  to 
appear  on  the  27th  day  of  May  Anno  1649  before  the  court  of 
the  aforesaid  colony,  in  order  to  hear  all  such  demand  and 
prayer  for  relief  as  I,  in  my  capacity  aforesaid,  may  have  to  make 
and  submit.  In  regard  to  which  you  must  govern  yourself  as  in 
your  judgment  will  seem  best.  In  the  colony  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck, the  [  ]  of  February  Anno  1649.1 

Agrees  with  the  original, 
Which  I  certify, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

[24]  Court  proceedings,  February  4  Anno  1649 

On  the  27th  of  January,  the  honorable  director  summoned 
Nicolaes  Koorn  [to  appear]  in  regard  to  vilification  of  the  per- 
son of  Hans  Vos,  court  messenger,  in  making  him  out  to  be  a 
rascal  and  an  informer,  demanding  that  [said  Koorn]  either 
prove  said  accusations  in  court,  or  else  declare  before  the  court 
that  he  knows  nothing  about  said  Vos  but  what  is  honorable  and 


1  Marginal  annotations  destroyed. 


62  Colony  of 

right.  Also  for  defamation  of  the  honorable  patroon  and  his 
director  and  council  committed  in  the  tavern,  saying  that  they 
defrauded  him  and  that  fl.  1600  was  stil-l  due  him  and  witheld 
from  him,  which  involves  not  merely  a  question  of  defamation, 
but  also  causes  uneasiness  among  the  common  people,  as  if  he, 
Koorn,  was  being  defrauded  to  that  extent,  or  so  much  was 
witheld  from  him. 

Thomas  Chamber  and  Jochem  Kettelheym,  on  the  12th  of 
July  1 648,  three  several  times  engaged  in  fisticuffs  in  such  a  way 
that  Tomas's  face  and  nose  bled  profusely,  and  that  on  a  Sunday 
in  the  presence  of  the  honorable  director,  for  which  he  is  liable 
to  the  double  fine,  with  costs. 

On  the  same  date,  the  aforesaid  Thomas  came  to  the  door  of 
the  trading  house,  to  the  director's,  and  again  asked  to  fight  and 
within  the  hearing  of  Dominus  Megapolensis  swore  three  or  four 
times  in  most  ungodly  fashion,  using  God's  Holy  Name  in  vain, 
notwithstanding  the  honorable  director  and  the  minister  rebuked 
him  severely  for  it,1  it  being  Sunday  and  the  director  and  the 
'minister  being  present;  for  which  he  has  incurred  three  times  the 
fine  of  six  guilders,  double,  or  three  times  twelve  guilders. 

The  25th  of  January  1649,  Thomas  Chamber  in  the  tavern 
publicly  called  Hans  Vos  a  rascal  and  an  informer.  And  as 
Thomas  did  not  stop,  they  threw  mugs  and  other  things  at  each 
other,  so  that  the  mugs  broke,  and  this  in  the  presence  o£  Monsr. 
Looper2  and  Master  Abraham,3  for  which  he  is  liable  to  the 
double  fine. 

Furthermore,  [the  director  demands]  that  he,  Thomas,  while 
the  court  is  in  session,  shall  prove  that  Hans  Vos  is  a  rascal,  or 
else  declare  that  he  knows  nothing  about  him  but  what  is  right 
and  honorable. 

[24v]    It  is  ordered  that  Evert  Pels,  next  Thursday  shall 


1  In  the  margin  is  written :  Thomas  Chamber  admits  that  he  swore  as 
stated. 

2  Captain  Jacob  Loper. 

3  Surgeon  Abraham  Staets. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  63 

present  in  court  here  the  account  of  Claes  Tyssen  regarding  the 
pease  and  five  weeks'  wages  claimed  by  him,  on  pain  of  forfeiting 
three  guilders.1 

Consent  is  given  to  Jan  van  Bremen  to  have  a  copy  of  the 
director's  complaint,  on  condition  that  he  plead  thereto  on  the 
next  court  day. 

Whereas  the  honorable  director,  commissioners  and  council 
of  this  colony,  on  the  7th  of  December  1648,  ordered  and 
warned  all  the  colonists,  farmers  and  users  of  the  honorable 
patroon's  property  that  they  must  within  the  space  of  fourteen 
days  deliver  their  accounts  in  writing  to  the  aforesaid  honorable 
director,  specifying  the  accounts  for  each  year  separately,  under 
the  penalty  expressed  in  the  said  ordinance,  which  they  have 
thus  far  failed  to  do,  and  finding  that  the  winter  has  nearly  gone 
by  and  spring  is  at  hand  and  that  the  grain  and  effects  daily 
disappear  and  become  lost  and  the  honorable  patroon  in  every- 
thing receives  less  recognition  than  a  total  stranger;  therefore, 
their  honors  wishing  to  provide  therein,  hereby  forbid  all  those, 
whoever  they  may  be,  who  occupy  the  patroon's  property  on 
half  or  one  third  shares,  or  on  payment  of  a  yearly  rental,  to 
alienate,  remove  or  dispose  of  any  goods,  whether  grain,  or  other 
commodities,  without  having  first  satisfied  the  honorable  patroon 
for  everything,  including  the  tithes,  but  without  prejudice  to  the 
servants'  wages,  which  shall  be  paid  with  the  knowledge  and 
advice  of  the  aforesaid  director,  on  pain  of  forfeiture  for  each 
transgression  of  the  sum  of  25  guilders  and  the  alienated  goods 
or  other  effects  by  those  who  in  all  fairness  shall  be  judged  to 
have  violated  the  ordinance.  R:Wyck,  this  6th  of  February 
anno  1649,  pursuant  to  the  resolution  of  their  honors  aforesaid. 
Was  signed:  A.  de  Hooges,  Secretary. 

[25]     February   18  Anno  1649 

Jacob  Adriaensz,  raedemaecfcer  (wheelwright) ,  denies  before 
us  that  he  fought  on  the  4th  of  this  month. 


1  In  the  margin  is  written:  February  12,  notice  served  on  Pels. 


64  Colony  of 

February  22  Anno  1649 

Whereas  Jacob  Adriaensz,  raedemaecfyer,  and  Jacob  Adria- 
ensz,  tvaegenaer  (wagoner),  on  the  21st  of  February  1649,  not- 
withstanding the  director's  warning  and  on  penalty  of  the  highest 
fine  to  be  imposed  by  him,  as  many  as  three  times  made  bold  to 
prevent  the  director  from  making  an  arrest  as  he  was  having 
hold  of  the  delinquent's  clothes  and  body,  by  holding  on  to  his 
arms  and  body  in  such  a  way  that  he  could  not  follow,  saying 
also  several  times  that  they  would  not  let  him  go  along,  which  in 
a  land  of  justice  neither  can  nor  ought  to  be  tolerated,  as  every 
one  in  case  of  need  is  bound  to  lend  the  officers  of  justice  a  help- 
ing hand,  according  to  the  rule  of  the  dear  fatherland,  for  which 
according  to  law  each  of  them  must  stand  in  the  delinquent's 
place  and  expect  the  same  punishment,  and  in  addition  for  each 
offense  forfeit  the  sum  of  300  guilders  and  receive  arbitrary  cor- 
rection according  to  the  ordinance  of  the  28th  of  May  1 648,  and 
whereas  each  of  them  has  committed  the  highest  crime  not  only 
against  the  patroon  by  violating  Hs  high  and.  low  jurisdiction  but 
also  against  the  States  General,  whose  place  is  occupied  here, 
therefore,  the  honorable  plaintiff  demands,  first,  that  each  person 
shall  give  security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment,  or,  in 
default  thereof,  that  they  shall  be  placed  in  confinement  and 
defend  their  case  there;  cum  expensis. 

For  which  purpose  the  raedemaecffer  is  summoned  to  appear 
on  the  22d  and  the  fvaegenaer  on  the  23d  of  February,  at  about 
9  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 

The  raeJemaec/fer's  first  default. 

The  honorable  director  has  declared  by  true  words  that  the 
above  took  place  as  follows: 

The  21st  of  February  1649,  the  honorable  director,  assisted 
by  his  son  and  Hans  Vos,  having  come  to  the  house  of  Jan 
Verbeeck,  in  the  Greenen  Bos,  to  arrest  Jacob  Toenys,  the 
servant  of  Jan  Verbeeck,  on  account  of  abusive  language  and 
violence  between  the  son  of  the  honorable  director  and  said 
Jacob  Toenys,  Jacob  raedemaecfyer,  Jacob  rvaegenaer  and 
Harmen  Bastiaensen  ventured,  notwithstanding  the  honorable 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  65 

director  forbade  them  to  do  so  on  pain  of  the  highest  fine  which 
he  could  impose,  to  prevent  the  honorable  director  from  arresting 
the  aforesaid  Jacob  Toenys  [the  remainder  of  the  declaration  is 
illegible  or  destroyed]. 

[25v]     February  23  Anno  1649 

It  is  ordered  that  Jacob  Adriaensen  shall  give  security  for  the 
judgment,  or  in  default  thereof  be  taken  into  custody. 

The  same  is  ordered  with  reference  to  Jacob  Aertsz, 
waegenaer. 

Evert  Pels  from  Steltyn,1  by  this  his  signature  becomes  surety 
and  bail  for  Jacob  Aertsz,  tvaegenaer,  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
judgment  and  the  costs  in  the  action  for  preventing  the  execution 
of  justice  or  making  the  arrest,  as  the  court  of  this  colony  shall 
determine.  Done  this  25th  of  February  Anno  1649. 

EVERT  PELS 

In  the  same  way,  in  every  respect,  Evert  Pels  and  Rutger 
Jacobsz  become  sureties  and  bailsmen  for  Jacob  Adriaensz, 
raedemaecfyer. 

RUT  JACOBSZ 
EVERT  PELS 

Acknowledged  before  me, 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

The  case  of  Jacob  Aertsz,  ivaegenaer,  and  Jacob  Adriaensz, 
raedemaecfyer,  is  with  the  full  consent  and  approval  of  the  honor- 
able director  and  Rut  Jacobsz  and  Evert  Pels,  as  sureties  for 
the  aforesaid  persons,  put  for  decision  into  the  hands  of  two 
neutral  and  impartial  men  having  legal  knowledge  and  they 
therefore  promise  mutually  to  abide  by  the  decision  and  to 
observe  it  in  all  respects. 

The  parties  aforesaid  have  mutually  and  voluntarily  agreed 
to  this,  the  [  ]  of  June  Anno  1649. 

Acknowledged  before  me, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

1  Stettin,  Germany. 

3 


66  Colony  of  .Rensse/aersnnjc^ 

[26]     February  22  Anno  1649 

Whereas  Jacob  Aryaensz,  rademaecfyer,  Jacob  Aertsz, 
ivagenaer,  and  Herman  Bastiaensz,  on  February  21,  1649,  in 
spite  of  the  director's  warning  and  under  penalty  of  his  highest 
fine,  dared  as  many  as  three  times  each  time  publicly  to  prevent 
the  director  from  making  an  arrest,  while  he  had  hold  of  the 
delinquent's1  body,  immediately  after  [said  delinquent]  without 
any  cause,  much  less  justification,  had  struck  his  son  Wencom,2 
and  in  addition  called  him  an  informer  and  tried  to  force  Wen- 
com to  keep  off  his  own  patroon's  ground,  according  to  the  delin- 
quent's own  declaration  (it  being  indeed  intolerable  and  unheard 
of  that  a  subject's  servant  should  thus  wrongly  maltreat  and 
grossly  insult  his  lawful  superior's  son),  and  they,  [the  defend- 
ants], held  the  delinquent  by  the  arms  and  body  and  repeated 
several  times  that  they  would  not  let  him  go  with  the  director, 
which  in  a  land  of  justice  neither  can  nor  ought  to  go  unpunished 
(as  every  one  in  case  of  need  is  bound  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to 
the  officers  of  justice,  according  to  the  rule  of  the  dear  father- 
land) ,  therefore,  they  have  forfeited  life  and  limb  and  according 
to  written  law  must  stand  in  the  delinquent's  place  and  severally 
receive  the  same  punishment,  fine  and  amercement  for  the  crime 
committed,  while  in  addition  they  have  forfeited  the  sum  of  three 
hundred  guilders,  according  to  the  ordinance  of  May  28,  1648, 
posted  in  this  colony.  And  whereas  each  of  the  persons  arrested 
has  not  only  committed  the  most  serious  crime  within  the  high 
and  low  jurisdiction  of  the  honorable  patroon,  but  has  also  in  the 
highest  manner  violated  the  jurisdiction  of  the  States  General, 
whose  place  and  administration  of  justice  are  represented  here, 
therefore  the  honorable  plaintiff  demands  that  each  person  shall 
first  of  all  give  bail  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment,  since 


1  Jacob  Toenys,  servant  of  Jan  Verbeeck. 

2  Gerrit  van  Wencom,  who  at  that  time  held  the  office  of  deputy  schout 
of  the  colony,  was  not  the  director's  son,  but  his  nephew.     He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  director's  son,  Gerrit  van  Slichtenhorst,  which  might  account 
for  the  error,  except  for  the  fact  that  the  entire  entry  is  in  the  handwrit- 
ing of  the  director  himself. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  67 

they  own  no  real  estate  here,  the  more  so  as  Jacob  rvagenaer  has 
hertofore  grossly  insulted  the  former  officer,  Verdonck,1  and 
broken  the  lord's  bonds  [of  justice]  ;  or,  in  default  thereof,  that 
they  may  be  placed  under  civil  arrest  or  in  confinement  and  there 
made  to  defend  their  case,  all  cum  expensis.2 

February  21,  1 649,  the  honorable  director,  assisted  by  his 
son  and  Hans  Vos,  having  come  to  the  house  of  Jan  Verbeeck 
to  arrest  the  person  of  [Jacob  Toenys,  servant  of  Jan]  Verbeeck, 
on  account  of  abusive  words  .  .  .  [the  remainder  of  the 
page  is  destroyed.] 

[In  the  margin  is  written:] 

The  honorable  director,  his  honor's  son  and  Hans  Vos  declare 
by  true  words  that  this  took  place  as  here  stated. 

Which  [I  certify,] 

[A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary] 

[26v]  Court  Proceedings,  March  4  Anno  1649 

Jan  Reyersz  acknowledges  that  he  owes  Albert  Andriesz 
fl.  71  and  promises  to  pay  the  same  at  the  first  opportunity  to 
the  deaconry  of  this  colony. 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Harmen  Bastiaensz, 
defendant.  Cum  expen&is.  First  default. 

Aert  Pietersz        ~] 

^,  .        ^        ,.      }•  hirst  default. 

C^uiryn  Cornelisz  J 

Appeared  in  the  afternoon: 

Quiryn  Cornelisz,  who  admits  that  he  owes  Albert  Andriesz 
fl.  69:—,  but  for  the  present  has  no  means  of  paying. 

Quiryn  Cornelisz  declares  that  in  the  fore  part  of  the  year  1 643, 
as  the  wedding  guests  were  going  over  the  ice  to  the  wedding  of 
the  daughters  of  van  Es,  a  mare  of  the  said  Cryn  and  a  stallion 


1Adriaen  van  der  Donck. 

2  In  the  margin  is  written:  The  3d  ditto,  Hans  Vos  served  notice  on 
Rut  Jacobs  and  Evert  Pels. 


68  Colony  of  RensselaersTv\)cf( 

of  van  der  Donck  were  drowned  near  the  sn>arte,  or  paerde 
hoed?,1  and  that  he,  Cryn,  is  under  the  impression  that  van  der 
Donck  received  therefor  from  the  wedding  guests  one  hundred 
and  fifty  guilders. 

[27]  Jaques  Neulewels  declares  here  that  the  servant  of 
Sander  Leendersz  on  March  1 ,  1 649,  went  into  the  woods  with 
a  savage,  who  had  a  whole  loaf  of  bread,  which  was  cut  up  in 
the  woods  for  the  savages  and  after  they  had  eaten  it,  they  went 
with  six  packs,  led  by  the  servant,  together  into  Sander's  house. 

March  11  Anno  1649 

Sander  Leendersz  acknowledges  the  contract  made  by  him 
with  the  late  patroon  on  March  28,  1 639,  and  says  that  he  knows 
of  no  other  contract  than  that.  It  must  therefore  be  carried  out 
in  all  its  parts,  as  well  as  that  granted  by  the  court  on  February 
23,  Anno  1645. 

Sander  Leendersz  admits  having  sailed  two  yachts  since  1641, 
for  three  years,  and  says  that  he  knows  of  no  other  contracts. 

Catalyn  Sanders  admits  that  she  signed  with  her  own  hand 
the  contract  made  with  the  patroon  on  March  28,  Anno  1639, 
and  that  she  has  a  copy  of  it  at  her  house.  Whereupon  complete 
condemnation  is  asked. 

Catalyn  Sanders  also  acknowledges  the  contract  entered  into 
with  the  court  of  this  colony  on  February  23,  Anno  1645,  and 
says  that  she  knows  of  no  other  contracts. 

Catalyn  says  that  they  sailed  two  yachts  of  the  patroon,  but 
not  while  they  tapped  liquor. 

March    [  ]    Cornelis   Segersz   has   through    Hans   Vos 

[requested  that  he  be]  released  by  the  court  from  [ 


1  Now  Parda  hook,  about  a  mile  south  of  Van  Wie's  point. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  69 

[27v]  Court  proceedings,  March  18,  1649 

Harmen  Bastiaensz  having  heard  the  complaint  of  the  honor- 
able director  read  to  liim,  answers  that  they  must  call  him  before 
his  competent  judges. 

Cornells  Segersz  has  agreed  with  Thomas  Keuningh  to  take 
his  boy  into  his  service  from  this  date,  paying  him  according  to 
the  time,  provided  that  the  boy  must  serve  in  the  next  harvest. 
If  in  binding  he  keeps  up  with  one  mower,  he  is  to  receive  one 
guilder;  if  with  two,  two  guilders. 

Cornelis  Segersz  being  in  dispute  with  Willem  de  Key  about 
pease  purchased  by  him,  their  case  is  referred  to  two  neutral 
arbitrators,  whose  decision  as  to  their  value  they  are  to  follow, 
to  wit,  such  arbitrators  as  they  shall  nominate. 

Jacob  Lambertsz  Dorlandt  is  ordered  to  pay  to  the  honorable 
director  the  fine  imposed  upon  him  by  sentence  within  the  space 
of  fourteen  days  after  the  service  of  notice,  under  penalty  of 
execution  and  a  fine  of  fl.3.1 

The  case  of  Jacob  waegenaer  and  Jacob  raedemaecker  is  sub- 
mitted to  the  discretion  of  impartial  men,  with  the  consent  of  the 
honorable  director  and  Ruth  Jacobsz  and  Evert  Pels,  as  sureties. 

[28]  Court  proceedings,  March  25  Anno  1649 

A  warrant  of  arrest  and  summons  having  been  served  upon 
Willem  de  Key  at  the  request  of  Cornelis  Segersz  on  account  of 
200  schepels  of  wheat  which  he,  Willem  de  Key,  admits  having 
taken  on  board  his  yacht  and  carried  past  the  house  of  Evert 
Pels,  but  which  on  account  of  the  inclemency  of  the  early  winter, 
at  Willem  de  Key's  request,  were  taken  out  of  the  yacht  by  the 
said  Cornelis  and  removed  to  the  Greenen  Bos  to  the  brewery 


1  In  the  margin  is  written :  March   [  ] ,  Hans  Vos  served  notice 

on  Jacob  Lamberts. 


70  Colony  of 

and  the  house  of  Domine  Megapolensis,1  Willem  de  Key 
answers  that  at  the  first  opportunity  he  will  reply  to  everything  in 
writing. 

Apostil  on  the  petition  of  Nicolaes  Koorn 

Serves  for  apostil: 

Nicolaes  Koorn  is  again  referred  to  the  order  last  sent  to  him, 
but  for  certain  reasons  the  time  is  prolonged  or  extended  until 
this  day  fortnight,  under  the  penalty  heretofore  provided. 

Jan  Thomasz's  contract  is  canceled  by  the  honorable  director 
for  so  far  as  he  is  concerned. 

On  the  date  above  written  Evert  Pels  transfers  and  conveys 
to  Jeuriaen  Bestvall  the  house,  haybarracks  and  barn  as  they 
have  to  this  date  been  used  by  Evert  Pels,  everything  to  be 
appraised  at  a  convenient  time  by  impartial  men. 

[28v]   April3  Anno  1649 

Sander  Leendersz  becomes  surety  for  all  actions  and  fines 
which  the  honorable  director  may  institute  against  or  demand  of 
his  servant,  Egbert  Doysz,  submitting  himself  to  the  court  here. 

Sander  Leendersz,  by  his  signature,  promises  to  perform  this. 

Witnessed  by  me, 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

On  the  date  above  written  the  following  notice  was  served  on : 
Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck 
Volckert  Hansz,  and 
Cornelis  Vos 

You  have  license  to  carry  on  lawful  trade,  but  in  no  wise  to 
carry  on  any  illegitimate  trade,  as  is  daily  done  by  you  in  running 
into  the  woods  to  meet  the  savages  who  come  with  beavers  and 


1  Domine  Megapolensis  resided  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  river, 
obliquely  opposite  Fort  Orange  in  the  so-called  Kercffbuurte,  or  church 
neighborhood,  which  by  O'Callaghan,  History  of  Nev>  NetherlanJ, 
1  :330,  and'  Brodhead,  History  of  the  Stale  of  Ne»>  York,  1  :343  is 
erroneously  placed  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  near  the  Beaver's 
creek.  Cf.  Van  Rensselaer  Bonier  Mss,  p.  454,  619. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  71 

in  promising  them  presents  of  stockings,  hatchets  and  other  goods 
if  they  will  come  to  your  houses  to  trade,  and  after  having  thus 
traded  with  them  giving  them  a  little  note  to  tell  other  savages 
where  you  dwell  and  such  presents  as  will  induce  them  to  come 
to  you  to  trade. 

You  are  hereby  warned  and  forbidden  by  the  court  to  carry 
on  such  illegitimate  trade,  in  violation  of  the  ordinance. 

Cornelis  Teunisz  promises  to  observe  this,  provided  those  of 
the  fort  do  likewise,  as  heretofore  they  have  not  done. 

Volckert  Hansz  agrees  to  do  as  Cornelis  Teunisz. 

Cornelis  Vos  promises  the  same. 

[29]  April  15  Anno  1649 

Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Breuckelen  having  been  notified  that  he 
is  alleged  to  have  said  that  changes  were  made  in  the  contracts 
after  the  time  the  leases  were  signed,  which  he  denies,  asks  that 
the  case  be  put  over  until  Rutger  Jacobsz  comes  up  the  river. 

Also,  that  Cornelis  Teunisz  on  April  5,  1649,  having  called 
to  the  honorable  director  to  come  out  of  his  house,  gave  up  the 
lease  of  his  farm,  to  which  the  honorable  director  consented  on 
condition  that  he  should  render  his  accounts,  which  Cornelis 
Teunisz  admits. 

On  the  petition  of  Cornelis  Segersz  it  is  ordered  that  he  must 
first  turn  all  his  accounts  regarding  the  grain  over  to  the  director 
and  that  then  a  copy  will  be  exhibited  at  his  expense. 

Jacob  Lambertsz  is  again  ordered  to  satisfy  the  judgment  of 
March  8,  1 649,  within  eight  days  from  the  time  notice  is  served, 
under  penalty  of  six  guilders,  and  if  he  remains  in  default  another 
eight  days,  nine  guilders. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:]  3  days  after  the  1 5th  of  this  month, 
notice  was  served  on  Jacob  Lambertsz  by  Slichtenhorst  himself, 
on  the  land  of  Thomas  Jansz. 

Whereas  Claes  Gerritsz  has  thus  far  failed  to  satisfy  the  judg- 
ment of  December  1  7,  1 648,  he  is  again  ordered  to  satisfy  the 


72 


Colony  of 


same  within  three  weeks  from  the  time  notice  hereof  is  served, 
on  pain  of  forfeiting  two  pounds  Flemish. 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff, 

against 

Jacob  Schermerhorn 
Gerrit,  the  cooper 1 
floelandt,2  the  nephew    (neve)    of 
Mr  Stuyvesant 


[1st]  default  < 


defendants 


Pieter  Loockemans 
Marten,  the  mason  3 
Rem,  the  smith  4 
Willem  Jansz  Stol 
Hendrick  Driesz 
Meynert,  a  carpenter 
Lammert  van  Valckenburgh 


[29v]  Court  proceedings,  April  29  Anno  1649 

Nicolaes  Coorn  is  ordered  once  more  and  for  the  last  time 
that  he  must  render  and  deliver  his  account  and  statement  of 
all  his  claims  in  the  form  heretofore  mentioned  within  the  space 
of  twice  twenty-four  hours,  under  the  penalty  provided. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:]  May  [  ],  written  notice  was 
served  on  Coorn. 

Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Breuckelen  to  be  asked  in  court  whether 
he  still  stands  by  the  words  spoken  by  him  twice  on  April  7, 
1649,  to  Director  Slichtenhorst,  to  wit,  that  he,  Slichtenhorst, 
had  changed  the  contracts  under  which  the  six  lots  were  leased 
on  September  1 4,  1 648,  after  the  leases  were  signed  and  that  the 
copies  which  they  had  procured  of  the  said  contracts  or  agree- 
ments did  not  agree  with  the  original  terms  which  were  read  to 


1  Gerrit  Jansz, 

2Roelandt  Savary?     See  minutes  of  March  16,  1651. 

3  Marten  Harmensz? 

4  Rem  Jansz. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  73 

them  at  the  time  the  aforesaid  leasing  took  pkce,  to  which 
he  added  that  he  and  Rutger  Jacobsz  and  two  or  three  other 
persons  would  prove  what  is  stated  above.  Whereupon  a  cate- 
gorical answer,  yes  or  no,  is  demanded,  and  in  case  no  answer 
is  made,  that  it  be  taken  that  he,  Breuckelen,  still  stands  by  what 
he  said. 

Cornells  Teunisz  asking  for  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  charges 
and  eight  days'  delay  in  which  to  make  answer,  his  request  is 
granted. 

Whereas  Cornelis  Hendricksz  van  Es  has  before  this  been 
called  upon  and  urged  by  the  honorable  director  of  the  colony 
of  Rensselaerswyck  to  pay  a  certain  bond  given  in  case  Cryn 
Cornelisz  should  fail  to  pay,  amounting  to  the  sum  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  guilders,  and  also  an  absolute  assignment  of  thirty- 
six  guilders,  fifteen  stivers,  as  per  account  of  Roelof  Cornelisz, 
which  aforesaid  bond  is  signed  by  the  said  van  Es  and  Cfornelis] 
Crynen,  who  was  also  called  upon  to  pay  before  the  said  van  Es, 
but  declared  that  he  had  [no  money]  for  the  present.  And 
whereas  Cornelis  [van  Es] ,  for  the  reason  aforesaid,  caused 
Cornelis  Crynen  to  be  arrested  and  summoned  to  appear  in  court, 
as  he  did  appear  twice,  to  recover  the  amount  from  him,  but 
van  Es  failed  to  appear  and  to  prosecute  his  action,  therefore 
Cornelis  Crynen  [  1 

[30]  so  that  for  the  reason  above  mentioned  it  is  ordered  that 
he,  van  Es,  shall  tender  and  pay  the  amount  of  the  bond  and 
the  assignment,  with  interest  at  the  rate  of  one  penny  in  sixteen, 
before  his  departure  from  here,  referring  him  for  the  recovery  of 
the  amount  to  the  person  against  whom  his  action  must  be 
brought  and  whom  he  caused  to  be  arrested  and  summoned  to 
appear,  to  wit,  Cornelis  Crynen ;  all  cum  expensis. 

r..  [  Cornelis  van  Es 

rirst  .  persons  attached  and  summoned 

j  £     K     ?  and  r  i 

default  n.          _  to  appear  on  the  next  court  day, 

Pieter  Claes 

which  is  now,  action  being  brought  by  the  director  against  both 
and  by  Andries  de  Vos  against  Pieter  Claesz. 


74  Colony  of 

Hans  Vos  is  ordered  by  the  court  to  proceed  to  the  house  of 
Cornells  van  Es  and  Pieter  Claesz,  to  watch  over  their  property 
until  they  shall  have  rendered  their  accounts  and  performed  their 
duties,  all  on  payment  of  proper  wages  to  Hans  Vos. 

This  day,  May  3,  1649,  Jacob  Hevick  has  leased  from  the 
director  and  commissioners  of  this  colony  at  twenty  guilders  a 
year,  for  the  term  of  six  years,  a  certain  house  belonging  to  him 
and  a  garden  situated  north  of  the  house  and  farm  of  Jan 
Baerentsz  and  south  of  that  of  Thomasz  Jansz,  provided  that 
Jacob  Hevick  shall  have  free  of  rent  all  the  land  that  he  shall 
clear  within  the  aforesaid  time ;  furthermore  Jacob  must  in  addi- 
tion yearly  deliver  two  pairs  of  fowls.  The  lease  commenced 
at  Easter. 

B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST 

This  is     X      the  mark  of 
JACOB  HEVICK,  made  with  his  own  hand 
JAN  VAN  TWILLER 
This  is  the      X      mark  of 
WILLEM  FREDERICKSZ,  as  witness 
Acknowledged  before  me, 

A:  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 

[In  the  margin  is  written:] 

As  heretofore  a  considerable  trade  was  carried  on  at  this 
place,  but  this  has  now  almost  completely  ceased,  this  is  the 
reason  that  the  place  rents  for  not  more  than  20  guilders  a  year. 

[30v]  This  day,  the  4th  of  May  1 649,  Antony  de  Hooges 
and  Pieter  Hertgers  have  jointly  leased  from  the  honorable 
director  of  this  colony,  for  the  term  of  three  years,  for  a  garden, 
the  ground  lying  to  the  north  of  and  close  under  [the  walls  of] 
Fort  Orange,  to  the  south  of  and  next  to  the  yard  of  the  honor- 
able patroon,  being  the  ground  where  heretofore  the  trading 
house  of  the  honorable  patroon  stood,  and  to  the  east  of  the 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  75 

churchyard,1  on  condition  that  they  give  one  beaver  a  year.  In 
case  necessity  requires  it,  the  director  reserves  the  right  to  lay 
out  a  road  through  the  garden  to  the  churchyard,  or  an  emer- 
gency road,2  on  condition  that  two  gates  shall  be  made  and  kept 
in  repair  at  the  patroon's  expense.  The  lessees  have  signed  this 
lease  with  their  own  hands.  Done  in  Rensselaerswyck,  on  the 
date  above  written. 

A:  DE  HOOGES 

PIETER  HERTGERS 

Court  proceedings,  May  6  Anno  1649 

Pieter  Claesz  promises  here  before  the  court  to  deliver  up  the 
house,  barn  and  hay  barracks  used  by  him  last  year  in  as  good 
condition  as  he  received  them. 

[A  note  in  the  margin  says:]  De  Vos  has  used  his  barn  five 
years,  his  dwelling  house  three  years  and  the  hay  barrack  four 
years. 


1  voorde  tydt  van  drie  Jaeren  gepacht  de  grant  tol  een  tuyn  gelegen 
benoorden  dicht  ondert  Fort  Orangien,  besuyden  naest  aenden  Hoff 
vande  Ed:  Heer  Patroon,  synde  de  gront  daer  voor  desen  het  handelhuys 
vande  Ed:  Heer  Patroon  heeft  geslaen,  ende  beoosten  het  fyercffhof.  The 
patroon's  Hoff  probably  refers  to  the  garden  belonging  to  the  patroon's 
house,  which  was  occupied  by  Van  Slichtenhorst.  Van  Slichtenhorst 
afterwards  claimed  that  he  had  more  than  a  hundred  sleigh  loads  of 
manure  drawn  into  this  hof  and  kept  the  clapboard  fence  around  it  in 
repair  at  his  own  expense.  The  term  ffercffhof  may  be  used  in  the  general 
sense  of  a  burying  ground,  but  may  also  mean  the  plot  around  the  former 
trading  house  of  the  patroon,  which  according  to  a  petition  presented 
by  de  Hooges  on  March  27,  1648,  had  shortly  before  been  turned 
into  a  church.  The  words:  "being  the  ground  where  heretofore  the 
trading  house  of  the  honorable  patroon  stood,"  are  inserted  in  the  margin 
and  may,  perhaps,  in  the  original  have  been  inserted  in  the  wrong  place 
and  be  intended  to  apply,  not  to  the  Hoff,  but  to  the  ground  leased  for  a 
garden. 

2Nooiroech.  Hugo  de  Groot,  Inleiding  tot  de  Hollandsche  Rechts- 
Celeerdheyd,  Book  II,  chap.  35,  §  7,  says:  Noodweg  is  een  u>eg  alleen 
le  gebrulcffen  tot  den  oogst,  tot  een  lijck  ofte  andere  noodzakellcJfheid 
(Noodrveg  is  a  road  to  be  used  only  for  the  transportation  of  crops,  a 
dead  body,  or  for  other  necessary  purposes). 


76  Colony  of 

May  28  Anno  1649 

Whereas  Director  Slichtenhorst  caused  200  schepels  of  wheat 
belonging  to  Adriaen  vander  Donck  to  be  attached,  whereof  a 
written  notice  was  sent  to  him  and  a  date  was  set  for  trial  of  the 
case  on  the  27th  of  May  Anno  1649,  payment  is  demanded  for 
the  horses,  cattle  and  the  appurtenances  thereof,  according  to 
the  notice,  cum  expensis;  and  in  case  of  failure  to  appear,  [it  is 
demanded  that]  the  first  default  [be  granted],  with  the  benefit 
thereof,  and  the  right  to  serve  peremptory  notice  de  novo  and  to 
appoint  another  day  for  trial. 

[31]  Whereas  Gysbert  Cornelisz  aende  Berch  was  ordered 
some  time  ago  to  deliver  to  Evert  Pels  two  cows  with  a  heifer 
and  he,  Gysbert,  being  called  upon  and  urged  to  do  so,  has  posi- 
tively and  stubbornly  refused  to  give  up  the  aforesaid  cattle,  he 
is  hereby  ordered  by  the  court  to  deliver  the  said  cattle  to  Evert 
Pels  or  his  agent  under  the  penalty  of  three  guilders  for  one  day's 
delay,  six  guilders  for  two  days,  nine  guilders  for  three  days  and 
so  on  multiplied,  and  arbitrary  correction,  cum  expensis. 

[In  the  margin:]  May  19,  this  order  was  served  and  read 
to  him. 

For  which  refusal  the  aforesaid  Gysbert  is  summoned  to 
appear  in  court  under  penalty  of  the  highest  fine  to  be  imposed 
by  the  patroon. 

Court  proceedings,  May  20  Anno  1649 
[Part  of  the  page  left  blank] 

May  22,  1649 

Pieter  Claesz  is  released  from  his  bail  bond  executed  for  his 
father-in-law  1  van  Es,  dated  March  [  ] 

[  ]  his  own  action  [ 

[31v]  Copy 

Pieter  Claesz,  [you  are  hereby]  ordered  to  let  Jan  van 
Bremen  have  two  of  the  strongest  horses,  one  stallion  and  one 


Schoon  vaedcr. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  77 

gelding,  which  said  Jan  shall  feed  oats  at  his  expense,  for  which 
room  shall  be  given  him  at  your  house,  and  in  case  you  refuse, 
you  are  liable  to  the  fine  imposed  in  such  cases.  Guard  yourself 
against  damage.  February  3,  Anno  1649. 

By  order  of  the  director  and  the  commissioners, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

Court  Proceedings,  May  29  Anno  1649 

The  honorable  court  of  this  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  having 
examined  the  complaint  of  the  director  against  Michiel  Jansz, 
together  with  the  answer,  replication  and  rejoinder,  and  having 
duly  considered  everything,  hereby  order  the  said  defendant  to 
render  an  itemized  account  of  everything  in  proper  form  to  the 
aforesaid  director. 

[32]  May  31,  1649 

Whereas  question  has  arisen  between  Director  Slichtenhorst 
and  Monsr.  Adriaen  vander  Donck  about  the  claim  heretofore 
presented  by  vander  Donck,  the  director,  after  examination  of 
his  lawful  debit  and  alleged  credit  accounts,  caused  two  hundred 
schepels  of  wheat  belonging  to  vander  Donck  to  be  attached, 
according  to  the  writ  served  on  him,  in  which  the  date  on  which 
he  was  to  appear  was 'fixed  at  the  27th  of  May  1649.  Vander 
Donck  having  appeared  on  the  2 1  st  instant,  it  was  arranged  and 
agreed  that  the  21st  instead  of  the  27th  woulci  serve  as  the  date 
of  appearance,  as  it  actually  did  serve,  as  will  sufficiently  appear 
from  the  complaint  and  the  written  answer  of  vander  Donck,  in. 
his  own  hand.  And  whereas  vander  Donck  claims  and  alleges 
that  the  appointed  day  passed  without  prosecution  of  the  case, 
and  he,  in  bad  faith,  transferred  his  title  to  the  aforesaid  200 
schepels  of  wheat  to  others  (in  derogation  of  vander  Donck's 
former  agreement),  as  vander  Donck  has  himself  declared  in 
the  presence  of  the  said  Slichtenhorst  and  Antonio  de  Hooges, 
therefore,  the  court  messenger,  by  order  of  the  director,  on  the 


78  Colony  of 

3 1  st  of  the  aforesaid  month  of  May,  once  more  served  an  attach- 
ment against  the  person  of  the  said  vander  Donck  and  by  mutual 
consent  arranged  to  have  court  held  at  two  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  said  31st  of  May;  however,  without  prejudice  to 
Director  Slichtenhorst's  former  legal  right  as  regards  the  wheat 
transferred  to  others,  which  remains  intact  as  before  and  for 
which  the  former  attachment  was  made,  his  case  being  prose- 
cuted from  day  to  day,  at  the  expense  of  the  party  who  shall  be 
found  in  tha  wrong,  for  which  security  is  demanded ;  all  without 
loss  or  damage,  cum  expensis. 

Furthermore,  an  attachment  is  served  against  him  to  make 
reply  to  written  interrogatories. 

Extraordinary  session,  on  the  date  above  written 

The  honorable  court  shows  that  the  200  schepels  of  wheat 
belonging  to  Adriaen  vander  Donck,  which  were  attached,  can 
not  be  received  or  delivered  without  the  consent  of  the  court,  as 
the    attachment    was    made    by    order    of    the    court 
[remainder  illegible]. 

[32v]      Copy 

After  the  fire,  in  the  year  1646,  had  destroyed  one  of  the 
[two]  farms  on  Casteels  island,  Adriaen  vander  Donck,  who 
had  had  possession  thereof,  resolved  to  sell  his  remaining  interest 
in  the  farm,  with  the  consent  of  and  before  the  court.  After  the 
sale,  vander  Donck  resolved  to  leave  the  colony,  which  he  did, 
also  with  the  consent  of  the  court,  having  first  delivered  his 
account  to  Monsr.  de  Hooges.  But  as  they  could  not  finally 
settle  the  accounts  in  regard  to  the  burned  house  and  some  other 
claims  on  both  sides,  they  decided  to  write  at  the  first  opportunity 
for  advice  to  the  guardians  of  the  patroon  of  the  colony  and  then 
to  settle  their  accounts.  Thereupon  vander  Donck  departed. 

Anno  1647,  after  the  arrival  of  the  ship  Fa/c^emer,  vander 
Donck  brought  suit  before  the  court  against  Monsr.  de  Hooges, 
while  he  was  at  the  Manhatans  and  demanded  final  settlement, 
but  de  Hooges  had  not  yet  sent  over  the  account,  so  that  he  was 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  79 

ordered  to  do  so  at  the  first  opportunity,  when  they  were  to  pro- 
ceed with  the  case.  The  account  was  sent  over  on  the  ship  de 
Princes,  which  was  wrecked  and  the  account  was  lost.  Anna 
1648,  Director  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst  arrived  and  vander 
Donck  several  times  requested  him,  verbally  and  in  writing  and 
also  by  petition  to  pay  the  money  coming  to  him  according  to 
his  account,  but  never  received  any.  Finally,  some  effects  of 
vander  Donck  having  been  attached  by  the  director  of  this  colony 
anno  1 649,  the  [  ]  of  May,  it  was  agreed  upon  by  Director 

Brant  van  Slichtenhorst  on  the  one  side  and  Adriaen  vander 
Donck  on  the  other  side  [  ] 

[  ] 

[33]  guardians  of  the  honorable  patroon  of  this  colony  and- 
Adriaen  vander  Donck,  upon  this  condition  and  stipulation  that 
whoever  is  entitled  to  anything  shall  receive  the  money  there,1 
without  the  parties  referring  each  other  to  New  Netherland. 
And  in  case  it  should  happen  that  the  honorable  guardians  on 
the  one  side  and  Adriaen  vander  Donck  on  the  other  side  had 
any  points  about  which  they  could  not  agree,  neither  of  the 
parties,  to  wit,  neither  the  honorable  guardians,  nor  vander 
Donck,  shall  have  the  right  to  resort  to  or  make  use  of  judicial 
proceedings  to  settle  the  matter,  but  both  parties,  the  guardians 
as  well  as  vander  Donck,  shall  be  held  to  leave  their  dispute  to 
the  decision  of  arbitrators,  whom  they  shall  mutually  chose,  each 
party  choosing  one  according  to  his  pleasure  and  the  two  joining 
to  themselves  a  third  person,  to  whom  all  disputes  shall  be  left 
for  final  decision,  without  either  side  attempting  to  do  anything 
to  the  contrary.  And  the  director  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck  hereby  promises  and  binds  himself  that  the  honorable 
guardians  on  their  part  shall  faithfully  carry  out  this  contract 
without  any  exception,  just  as  vander  Donck  on  his  part  promises 
to  do  this.  But  in  case  either  one  of  the  parties,  except  by  reason 
of  death  or  other  serious  misfortune,  should  fail  to  perform  his 


1  Namely,  in  Holland. ' 


80  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvycfy 

part,  the  other  party  shall  be  free  to  recover  his  loss  and  damage 
wherever  it  shall  seem  best  to  him. 

Furthermore,  Director  Slichtenhorst  shall  not  write  to  his 
honorable  masters  about  this  matter  or  advise  them  of  it  without 
showing  Adriaen  vander  Donck  before  his  departure  [  ] 

[  ] 

[33v]  vander  Donck,  after  receipt  of  the  gravamina  to  be 
brought  forward  by  the  honorable  Director  Slichtenhorst,  shall 
deliver  to  his  honor  the  reply  with  such  other  gravamina,  if  any, 
as  he  may  have,  and  thus  mutually  exchange  the  papers  in  the 
case.  Thus  done  and  decided  in  good  faith  on  the  date  above 
written,  and  in  witness  of  the  truth  confirmed  with  their  usual 
signatures  and  sealed  with  their  seals,  in  the  colony  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck.  And  was  signed: 

B.  v.  Slichtenhorst 
Adriaen  vander  Donck 

And  besides  their 
names  sealed  with  the  seals  of 
both  of  them. 
Below  was  written: 

Thus  signed  and  sealed  and  acknowledged 
before  me,  secretary  of  the  colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck, 

Antonio  de  Hooges,  Secretary 

After  collation  this  is  found  to  agree  with  the  original, 

Certified  by  me, 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

[34]  Court  proceedings,  June  3  Anno  1649 

Thomas  Jansz,  plaintiff,  against  Evert  Pels,  about  surgeon's 
fees  for  wounds  inflicted. 

Evert  Pels  says  that  he  is  not  bound  to  make  compensation, 
because  Thomas  Jansz  was  just  as  guilty  as  he  was. 


Court  Minutes,  1643-1652  81 

Hans  Vos  is  ordered  and  commanded  to  go  to  the  house  of 
Gysbert  aende  Berch  and  there  by  judicial  process  to  levy  the 
share  of  the  animals  for  the  farm  of  Evert  Pels,  as  was  ordered 
heretofore,  to  wit,  2  cows  and  one  heifer. 

June  4  Anno  1649 

The  honorable  director  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  and 
Evert  Pels  have  by  mutual  consent,  without  any  further  claims 
on  their  part  in  any  manner  whatsoever,  completely,  referred  and 
turned  over  to  Monsr.  Adriaen  vander  Donck  and  Jan  Lourisz 
Appel  for  proper  decision  and  settlement  the  legal  questions  at 
issue  between  them  both,  to  which  [decision]  they  fully  submit 
themselves. 

B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST  EVERT  PELS 

Acknowledged  before  me, 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

[34v]  June  5  Anno  1649 

Director  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst  and  A.  de  Hooges  and 
Johannes  van  Twiller  as  commissioners  have  after  mature 
deliberation  ordered  and  decided,  as  they  do  hereby,  that 
Adriaen  vander  Donck  may  not  receive  or  unload  the  two  hun- 
dred schepels  of  wheat  attached  in  the  hands  of  Cornelis  Segersz, 
except  upon  security  given  by  two  sufficient  sureties  before  the 
court  here,  in  default  whereof  the  attachment  will  remain  in  full 
force. 

Johannes  van  Twiller  is  granted  permission  by  the  honorable 
director  to  transport  out  of  the  colony  for  Mr  Stuyvesant  a  horse 
belonging  to  Cornelis  Segersz,  provided  he  receive  in  return  a 
horse  of  Curagao  or  other  breed ;  and  Joannes  van  Twiller  hereby 
guarantees  the  honorable  director  against  all  loss.  Dated  as 
above. 

JAN  VAN  TWILLER 


82  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvycfy 

Pieter  Claes  has  left  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  with  the 
knowledge  and  consent  of  the  honorable  director  of  the  aforesaid 
colony,  on  condition  that  he  would  satisfy  and  pay  Hans  Vos  for 
performing  his  duties  at  his  house  by  order  of  the  court,  accord- 
ing to  the  resolution.  Also  upon  condition  that  in  accordance 
with  his  own  promise  he  would  deliver  up  the  house,  bam  and 
hay  barracks  heretofore  used  by  him,  in  as  good  condition  as 
he  found  them.  Done  in  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  this 
day,  the  5th  of  June  1 649. 

June  6,  1649  —  Jacob  Jansz  Stol,  for  the  fine  incurred  on 
account  of  [assault  on]  Hans  Vos  committed  on  the  same  date 
and  the  court  day  set  for  the  first  [of  July]. 

[35]    Extraordinary  session,  June  8,   1649 

Claes  Tyssen,  on  June  7,  1 649,  had  the  court  messenger  serve 
an  attachment  against  Adriaen  vander  Donck  here  in  the  colony 
and  appoint  a  court  day,  namely,  the  8th  of  this  month,  on  which 
to  settle  his  account  and  make  payment  according  to  the  agree- 
ment between  the  parties. 

Claes  Andriesz  and  Dirck  Hendricksz,  both  of  Hilverson,  are 
ordered  to  fulfil  their  contract  of  service  with  those  to  whom  they 
are  assigned,  under  penalty,  on  the  next  default,  of  being  put  on 
bread  and  water  for  eight  days  at  their  own  expense,  with  costs. 
This  will  serve  as  a  strict  warning  that  they  must  faithfully  per- 
form their  service,  their  first  offense  being  hereby  overlooked. 

Adriaen  vander  Donck  declares  here  before  the  court,  by 
handfast,  that  he  owes  Claes  Tyssen  no  more  than  fl.  53,  say 
fifty-three  guilders. 

Willem  Fredericksz  becomes  surety  for  vander  Donck's  debt 
of  fl.  53  to  Claes  Tyssen. 

Court  proceedings,  June  10  Anno  1649 

Antony  de  Hooges  becomes  surety  for  two  hundred  schepels 
of  wheat  in  the  hands  of  Cornelis  Segersz  which  are  levied  by 
the  director  on  account  of  Adriaen  vander  Donck. 


Court  Minutes,  I648-/652  83 

Cornells  Segersz  is  ordered  by  the  court  to  deliver  to  the 
honorable  director  of  this  colony,  or  his  agent,  two  hundred 
schepels  of  wheat  for  the  payment  of  [  ]  on  pain 

of  forfeiting  six  guilders  for   [  ]   delay 

after  notice  shall  have  been  served. 

[35v]  This  14th  of  June  1649,  Christoffel  Davits  has  in  my 
presence  taken  over  Dirck  Hendricksz  from  Hilverson  and  by 
handfast  promised  to  keep  the  director  free  from  all  loss  and 
damage. 

Which  I  certify, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

Court  proceedings,  June  1  7  Anno  1 649 

Cornells  Segersz,  being  summoned  to  appear  about  the  pay- 
ment to  be  made  to  Jan  van  Bremen  on  account  of  the  honorable 
director,  as  per  his  order,  promises  and  is  hereby  ordered  imme- 
diately to  satisfy  and  pay  Jan  Dircksz  in  wheat  or  other  goods 
of  sufficient  value  and  in  case  the  parties  have  any  other  differ- 
ence between  them,  they  may  adjust,  and  settle  their  accounts 
with  one  another,  and  if  they  can  not  agree,  exhibit  the  matter 
in  court,  all  without  prejudice  to  the  claim  of  the  honorable 
plaintiff. 

Director  B.  v.  Slichtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against  Jan  Louwerensz, 
defendant,  being  arrested  and  summoned  to  appear  on  this  date 
about  slander,  according  to  the  complaint  of  the  plaintiff.  Non 
comparwt.  First  default. 

18  June  1649  —  Jan  Tomensz  and  Jan  Hageman  summoned 

by  Vos   for  the  second  time,   under  penalty  of  3   gl. 
Appeared,  but  refused  to  take  the  oath. 

1 9  ditto  —  Jan  Tomensz  and  Jan  Hageman  summoned  for  the 

third  time,  under  penalty  of  6  gl.,  to  appear  on  Monday 
at  9  o'clock. 

ditto  —  Volckert  Hansz  summoned  by  Vos  to  appear  on 
the  same  day,  or  the  19th  ditto,  but  did  not  appear. 


84  Colony  of 

21  ditto  Jan  Tomensz  and  Jan  Hageman  summoned  for  the 
third  time  under  penalty  of  9  gl.  to  appear  on  the  22d 
ditto  [to  give  testimony?]  to  the  truth  and  again  sum- 
moned to  appear  on  the  24th. 

On  the  22d,  Jan  Appel  was  summoned  for  the  second  time  at 
Slichtenhorst's  demand  to  appear  on  the  24th. 

[36]  Court  proceedings,  June  24  Anno  1649 

The  director,  plaintiff,  against  Jan  Louwrensz  Appel.  Second 
default. 

Jan  Haegeman  and  Jan  Thomasz,  being  summoned.  First 
default. 

Jan  Verbeeck  has  appointed  this  day  for  Gerrit  Vasterick  to 
appear  in  court.  Non  comparuit.  First  default. 

June  28,  1649.  Jan  Dirricksz  owes  Peter  Claes  235  gls., 
which  money  has  been  attached  in  the  hands  of  Jan  Dirricksz  as 
security  for  the  delivery  [by  Peter  Claesz]  of  the  patroon's  horse 
and  the  house  in  as  good  a  condition  as  he  received  them,  and 
for  the  wages  of  Hans  Vos. 

This  day,  the  29th  of  June  1649,  Director  B.  v.  Slichten- 
horst,  in  the  presence  of  Antonio  de  Hooges  and  Johannes  van 
Twiller,  has  delivered  to  Claes  Bordingh  all  the  writings  and 
papers  in  the  suit  between  the  said  Mr  Slichtenhorst  and  Adriaen 
vander  Donck,  to  deliver  them  faithfully  to  Adriaen  vander 
Donck. 

[Marginal  annotation]  July  22,  1649,  Claes  Bordingh 
reported  that  he  delivered  the  documents  to  Verdonck,  to  wit, 
on  July  6,  1 649,  early  in  the  morning,  as  he  came  out  of  bed. 

June  28,  1 648  [  1 649] ,  Hans  Vos,  in  the  name  of  the  director, 
summoned  Jan  Appel  in  the  colony  to  appear  in  court  on  July  1 , 
1649. 

The  29th  ditto,  Cornelis  Tuenisz  van  Brueckelom  summoned 
for  the  second  time  at  the  request  of  the  director  to  appear  in 
court  on  the  1  st  of  July. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  85 

Court  proceedings,  July    1    Anno   1649 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Jan  Haegeman, 
defendant. 

1  Proof    is    demanded    that   he    had    permission    to    trade 

beavers,  powder  and  lead  in  the  colony. 

2  How  many  beavers  he  traded  there? 

3  To  give  security  for  the  judgment. 

Jan  Lourensz  and  Cornelis  Theunisz  van  Breuckelen  sum- 
moned to  appear.  First  default. 

[36v]  July  1 .  Jan  Louwerensz  Appel  summoned  again,  for 
the  fourth  time,  to  appear  here  before  the  court  on  the  8th  of 
this  month. 

July  3.  Carsten,  the  Noorman,  summoned  on  a  writ  of  attach- 
ment at  the  request  of  de  Hoogens  to  appear  on  the  next  court 
day,  being  the  8th  of  this  month. 

Court  proceedings,  July  8  Anno  1649 

Aert  Pietersz,  being  summoned  to  appear  before  the  court  at 
the  instance  of  Domine  Megapolensis,  as  attorney,  to  state 
whether  he  is  willing  and  intends  to  fulfil  his  promise  to  a  cer- 
tain woman,  named  Blancke  Ael,1  Aert  Pietersz  says,  Yes, 
and  promises  to  have  himself  legally  united  to  her  in  matrimony 
at  the  first  opportunity. 

Jan  Louwerensz  being  summoned  for  the  fourth  time  on  a 
warrant  of  attachment,  makes  no  answer,  much  less  purges  him- 
self of  the  charges  against  him,  but  requests  judgment. 

Carsten  Carstensz,  being  summoned,  non  comparuit.  First 
default. 

The  honorable  director  asks  for  the  last  time  citation  and  then 
peremptory  sentence  in  the  matter  of  Jan  Appel. 

Claes  Gerritsz  states  here  before  the  court  that  he  pays  no 
regard  to  the  sentence  of  December  1  7,  1 648. 


1  Literally :  Fair,  or  light-complexioned,  Alicia. 


86  Colony  of 

On  the  8th  instant  Jan  Appel  was  summoned  in  the  colony  to 
appear  again  or  once  more  before  the  court  on  the  15th. 

July  12,  Broer  Cornelis  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  court 
on  the  15th. 

The  12th  ditto,  Jacob  Aryaensz  RamaecJ^er  was  cited  to 
satisfy  the  judgment  against  him  for  the  payment  of  the  rent  for 
the  year  1648.  Also  that  on  account  of  his  fisticuffs  with 
Cornelis  boer1  on  the  island  on  June  20,  1 649,  in  the  presence  of 
witnesses. 

[37]  Court  proceedings,  July  15  Anno  1649 

The  honorable  director  issues  an  attachment  against  Jacob 
Aryaensz  Rademaecfyer  to  satisfy  the  judgment  and  pay  the  rent 
for  the  year  1648,  and  to  satisfy  the  plaintiff  in  regard  to  the 
fine  to  be  paid  for  fighting  with  Kees  de  boer  on  June  20,  1 649, 
in  the  presence  of  witnesses. 

The  director,  plaintiff,  against  Teunis  Dircksz,  defendant, 
about  the  rent  of  the  brewery.  First  default. 

Christoffel  Davits  admits  here  before  the  court  that  he  loaned 
the  horse  which  perished  to  Thomas,2  a  mason  and  an  English- 
man. 

The  honorable  court,  having  heard  and  read  the  complaint 
of  the  director  of  this  colony  against  Jan  Louwrensz  Appel  and 
finding  that  Jan  Louwrensz  was  summoned  four  or  five  times, 
but  has  not  brought  in  any  formal  answer  and  only  asked  that 
sentence  should  be  pronounced.  And  whereas  he  has  as  yet 
not  brought  forward  any  proper  defense  and  seems  tacitly  to 
admit  the  charges,  the  honorable  court  have  decided,  as  they 
decide  hereby,  that  if  Jan  Louwrensz  does  not  purge  himself  on 
the  next  court  day  of  the  charges  brought  by  the  director,  he 
shall  be  condemned  to  pay  the  lord's  highest  fine  and  all  the 
costs  of  the  suit  incurred  according  to  the  declaration  to  be  made 


1  Cornelis  Segersz  van  Voorhout,  farmer  on  Castle  island. 

2  Thomas    Fairfax. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  87 

thereof  and  if  he  does  not  appear  and  properly  purge  himself 
of  the  charges,  he  shall  be  declared  in  contempt. 

[37 v]  Whereas  the  honorable  director  has  caused  Teunis 
Dircksz  to  be  summoned  to  appear  on  account  of  the  receipt  of 
the  payment  of  the  rent  of  the  brewery  and  he  has  failed  to 
appear,  the  director  is  authorized,  upon  condition  of  giving 
security,  to  levy  on  the  property  of  Mr  Abraham  Staas  and 
Pieter  Hertgers  for  the  balance  of  the  aforesaid  rent. 

Copy 

We,  Abraham  Staas  and  Jacob  Jansz  Stol,  acknowledge  that 
we  become  bail,  each  one  separately,  for  the  appearance  of  the 
wife  of  Sander  Leendersz,  in  the  action  brought  by  Director 
Slichtenhorst  according  to  the  written  summons  read  to  her,  dated 
July  16,  1649,  submitting  ourselves  to  the  judicature  of  the 
colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  each  in  the  amount  of  ten  hundred 
guilders.  Witness  our  hands,  this  1 6th  of  July  1 649.  Including 
herein  Margariet  Willems. 

Was  signed:  Abram  Staas 

Jacob  Jansz  Stoll 

Tys  Pietersz  is  ordered  to  repair  within  the  space  of  twenty- 
four  hours  after  the  service  of  this  notice  to  the  house  of  the 
honorable  director,  to  receive  there  instructions  with  whom  he 
is  to  stay  according  to  his  contract,  under  the  penalty  of  six 
guilders  for  the  first  failure  to  comply  with  this  order,  and  in 
case  he  refuses,  he  shall  be  forced  thereto  by  writ  of  execution. 

Order  is  also  issued  to  Broer  Cornelis  to  refrain  from  lodging 
or  harboring  him. 

This  3 1  st  day  of  July  1 649.  Jacob  Jansz  van  Stoutenburch 
having  been  summoned  under  a  writ  of  attachment  to  appear  on 
the  2d  of  August  of  the  same  year  to  acknowledge  or  repudiate 
his  mark  affixed  to  the  lease,  dated  May  5,  1649,  and  the 
appraisal  of  the  goods  on  the  Vlackte,  amounting  to  fl.  1426, 
and  whether  he  did  not  accept  the  aforesaid  goods  according  to 


88  Colony  of 

the  specification  thereof  in  the  presence  of  the  director,  Domine 
Megapolensis  and  other  witnesses,  he  is  asked  to  give  security 
for  one  year's  rent  and  the  amount  of  the  appraisal,  or  else  to 
enter  into  custody. 

Jacob  Jansz  acknowledges  his  signature  to  the  deed  and  that 
he  took  over  the  aforementioned  goods  according  to  the  appraisal. 

[38]  The  director  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  being 
bound  under  the  contract  with  Claes  Segeresz  to  deliver  to  him, 
at  the  commencement  of  his  lease,  the  land  of  his  farm  in  condi- 
tion to  be  cultivated  by  him  and  finding  thereon  ten  morgens 
seeded  with  winter  wheat,  Claes  Segersz  shall  next  winter  make 
compensation  for  the  seed  grain  and  the  labor  and  expense  which 
have  gone  into  it,  and  at  the  end  of  his  lease  leave  the  stubble  on 
the  land,  according  to  the  contract.  Done  in  the  colony  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck, primo  August  Anno  1 649. 

Was  signed  B:  v:     Slichtenhorst 

A:  de  Hooges,  witness 

July  16,  Director  Slichtenhorst  served  notice  on  Jacob  Jansz 
Hap,  and  August  2,  1 649,  on  Sander  Leendertsz,  Frerick  Lub- 
bertsz,  Cornelis  Jansz,  Harmen  Dousz,  skippers,  not  to  take  any 
colonists  with  them  to  the  Manhatans  or  out  of  the  colony  with- 
out his,  Slichtenhorst's,  consent.  The  6th  ditto  the  same  notice 
was  served  on  Aryaen  Bloemert  and  Jan  de  Caper. 

August  10,  1649,  Cornelis  Segersz  summoned  by  Slichten- 
horst on  the  part  of  Gysbert  [Adriaensz]  to  appear  on  the  12th 
ditto. 

1 1  ditto  1 649.  Willem  Juriaensz  being  summoned  to  appear 
because  he  accused  Jacob  Jansz  Stol  in  public  of  being  a  whore- 
monger and  Stol's  [wife]  of  being  a  whore,  which  led  to  a  fight, 
the  plaintiff  demands  that  the  defendant  be  condemned  to  pay  a 
double  fine;  cum  expensis. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  89 

[38v]  The  honorable  officer,  plaintiff,  against  Cornelis 
Segersz,  defendant. 

Cornelis  Segersz  being  summoned  to  appear  on  the  12th  ditto, 
being  an  extraordinary  court  day,  to  answer  the  complaints  made 
to  the  officer  by  Gysbert  Adriaensz  and  his  brother,  because  the 
defendant,  last  Sunday,  without  any  reason,  much  less  excuse, 
suddenly  struck  Gysbert  in  the  face  with  a  glass  and  severely 
wounded  him,  not  only  cutting  a  deep  gash,  but  also  severing 
some  arteries,  which  is  lethal  ;l  and  whereas  the  defendant  here- 
tofore has  more  than  once,  both  by  word  and  deed,  committed 
such  outrages  and  is  in  the  highest  degree  punishable;  therefore, 
the  plaintiff  demands  that  he  be  condemned  to  pay  double  the 
fine  of  300  guilders,  in  accordance  with  the  ordinance  of  Ams- 
terdam or  the  Manhatans,  and  that  in  addition  he  be  arbitrarily 
punished  as  an  example  to  others.  Also  that  the  defendant  fur- 
thermore be  condemned,  in  accordance  with  the  complaint,  to 
pay  the  costs  of  the  extraordinary  session  of  the  court,  all  cum 
expensis. 

Whereas  Cornelis  Segersz  on  August  1  ,  1  648,  ventured  in 
the  presence  of  Arent  Andriesz,  Poulus  Noorman  and  the  serv- 
ant of  the  aforesaid  Arent  to  accuse  Jan  Baerentsz  Poest  in  pub- 
lic of  being  a  rascal  and  the  biggest  liar  in  the  colony  and  agreed 
to  prove  it  by  several  witnesses,  and  upon  examination  in  court 
by  Officer  Slichtenhorst  repeated  the  assertion  and  on  the  3d  of 
the  same  month,  being  again  questioned  in  court,  was  obliged  to 
retract  his  statements  and  deny  his  accusations;  and  whereas  the 
defendant  in  a  similar  way  defamed  the  person  of  Councilor 
Vos,  as  shown  by  the  minutes  of  the  court  of  October  8,  1  848  ; 
therefore,  the  plaintiff  demands  that  the  defendant  be  condemned 
to  pay  for  each  offense  the  sum  of  fl.  [25?],  two  thirds  to  go  to 
the  poor  and  one  third  to  the  plaintiff,  all  cum  expensis. 


letael  is. 


90  Colony  of 

[39]  Extraordinary  session  on  account  of  vacation 
August  1 2  Anno  1 649 

Cornells  Segersz  asks  for  a  copy  of  the  complaint.1 

[The  court]  having  seen  the  signature  subsequently  added  on 
the  same  paper  to  the  lease  of  the  other  farms,  which  signature 
Cornells  Segersz  before  us  acknowledges  to  be  his  and  whereby 
he  binds  himself  under  the  aforesaid  contract,  he  is  hereby 
ordered  to  observe  the  same  and  especially  to  have  the  buildings 
on  the  farms  rented  by  him  appraised  by  neutral  carpenters,  in 
accordance  with  the  aforesaid  contract,  for  which  one  carpenter 
shall  be  chosen  by  each  party,  that  is,  one  on  the  part  of  the 
patroon  and  one  on  the  part  of  Cornelis  Segersz.  And  in  case 
Cornelis  Segersz  should  oppose  this  and  act  contrary  to  his  own 
signature  subscribed  in  the  first  place,  he  shall  be  liable  to  pay 
the  loss  which  the  patroon  shall  suffer  thereby,  the  court  to  pro- 
ceed further  against  him  according  to  law. 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Willem  Jeuriaensz, 
defendant.  First  default. 

August  12,  1649.  Cornelis  Segersz  summoned  for  the  sec- 
ond time  to  appear  this  day  week,  being,  the  1 9th  of  this  month. 

Court  proceedings,  September  2  Anno  1 649 

[Christoff]el  Davits,  plaintiff,  against  Thomas  [Fairfax], 
Englishman,  defendant. 

[  ]  being  asked  for  the  second  time 

[  ]  in  the  presence  of  [ 

[  ]. 

[39v]  Court  proceedings,  September  9  Anno  1 649 

Cornelis  Segersz  is  granted  a  lot  in  the  byeenrvooninge  (ham- 
let) ,  near  the  first  kill,  on  the  same  terms  as  other  free  men,  com- 
mencing next  Easter. 

1  In  the  margin  is  written :  Corn.  Segersz  being  cited  by  the  honorable 
director  and  asked  in  court  whether  he  would  not  allow  the  houses  and 
the  land  to  be  appraised,  he  said,  No,  and  the  buildings  should  not  be 
appraised  as  high  as  the  amount  they  had  actually  cost.  Whereupon  it 
was  ordered  as  shown  [in  the  record] . 


Court  Minutes,  /  648-1 652  91 

[In  the  margin  is  written:]  Canceled  December  30,  1650. 
Likewise,  Abraham  Staas. 

Andries  de  Vos  becomes  surety  for  [the  satisfaction  of  the 
judgment  in]  the  action  [for  the  recovery  of  the  loss]  of  the  horse 
entrusted  to  Christoffel  Davits,  which  was  drowned. 

Whereas  Thomas  .  .  -,1  the  Englishman,  requested  that 
Christoffel  Davis  should  furnish  surety  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
judgment  (as  he  has  done),  on  condition  that  he  also  would 
furnish  surety  (as  he  promised  to  do) ,  and  now,  appearing,  pro- 
duces none,  it  is  ordered  hereby  that  on  account  of  the  aforesaid 
contumacy  he  shall  be  taken  into  custody  by  the  honorable 
director  and  his  goods  placed  in  safe-keeping.  Cum  expensis. 

Whereas  Tomes  .  .  ./  the  Englishman,  has  fled  from  the 
colony  to  the  fort  (Director  Slichtenhorst  having  made  efforts  to 
carry  out  the  above  order  on  the  date  above  written,  but  he 
having  run  away  and  escaped  into  the  aforesaid  fort,  the  afore- 
said director  on  the  13th  instant  and  again  on  the  14th  called 
on  Mons.  Laberte,2  as  the  person  in  command  of  the  said  fort, 
and  requested  the  aforesaid  Labete  to  arrest  said  Tomes's  per- 
son and  attach  his  goods  in  order  to  carry  out  the  aforesaid 
order  of  the  honorable  court,  and  handed  him  the  judgment  to 
comply  therewith  in  all  its  parts,  according  to  the  order  of  Mr 
Stu  [v]  esandt,  which  he  agreed  to  do  in  the  presence  of  said 
Slichtenhorst  and  Tomes  himself. 

[40]  Copy 

This  day,  the  3d  of  June  1649,  Adriaen  vander  Donck  and 
Jan  Louwerensz  Appel,  having  been  requested  by  B.  v.  Slichten- 
horst, director  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  of  the  one  part, 
and  Evert  Pels  of  Statyn  and  Rut  Jacobsz,  as  sureties  and 
bondsmen  of  and  in  the  name  of  Jacob  Aertsz,  wagoner,  and 
Jacob  Adriaensz,  wheelwright,  of  the  other  part,  [to  act  as 
referees]  in  the  dispute  which  they,  to  wit,  the  wheelwright  and 


1  Blank  in  the  original.     His  name  was  Fairfax. 

2  Jean  Labatie. 


92  Colony  of 

the  wagoner,  had  with  the  director  of  this  colony  as  plaintiff  on 
account  of  certain  offenses  committed  by  them,  and  the  matter 
having  by  both  sides  been  placed  completely  and  entirely  into 
the  hands  of  the  aforesaid  Adriaen  vander  Donck  and  Jan 
Louwerensz  Appel,  they  have  in  all  conscience  and  after  a  care- 
ful examination  of  all  that  is  to  be  taken  into  account  decided 
and  concluded  that  inasmuch  as  their  offenses  are  inexcusable 
each  of  the  persons  shall  for  himself  pay  to  the  plaintiff  the  here- 
inafter specified  fines,  to  wit:  fl.  50 — ,  that  is  to  say,  the 
wagoner  fifty  guilders  and  the  wheelwright  fifty  guilders,  each. 
Also,  for  expenses,  each  shall  pay: 

to  the  plaintiff fl.  8- 

to  the  secretary 8- 

to  Hans  Vos 7- 

All  of  which  we  consider  to  be  right  and  proper.  Further- 
more, in  the  interest  of  the  administration  of  justice,  by  way  of 
honorable  amends,  the  delinquents  shall  appear  in  court  and 
there  acknowledge  that  they  have  done  wrong  and  have  fallen 
into  error  through  ignorance  and  drunkeness,  praying  the  court 
to  forgive  them. 

Thus  done  and  concluded  in  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck, 
on  the  date  above  written,  and  in,  witness  of  the  truth  subscribed 
with  our  usual  signatures.  Was  signed:  Adriaen  vander  Donk, 
Jan  Louwrensz  Appel. 

Agrees  with  the  original, 
Which  I  certify, 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

A  copy  hereof  shall  be  delivered  to  each  without  charge. 

[40v]  Copy 

This  day,  the  4th  of  June  1 649,  we,  Adryaen  vander  Donck 
and  Jan  Louwersen  Appel,  have  been  requested  by  B.  v. 
Slichtenhorst,  director  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  of  the 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  93 

one  part,  and  Evert  Pels  of  Statyn,1  of  the  other  part,  to  settle 
a  certain  question  at  issue' between  them  in  the  court,  said  matter 
at  issue  being  completely  and  fully,  just  as  it  stands,  placed  into 
our  hands  and  absolutely  referred  to  us,  the  aforesaid  Adriaen 
vander  Donck  and  Jan  Louwerensz  Appel;  whereupon,  after 
mutual  examination  and  consideration  of  the  same,  we  have 
found  and  decided  as  follows: 

First,  in  regard  to  Claes  Tyssen,  Evert  Pels  shall  restore  to 
the  honorable  director  within  the  space  of  eight  days  the  26 
guilders  which  the  director  paid  to  Claes  Tyssen  and  for  the 
loan  of  the  money  pay  to  the  director  the  sum  of  fl.  1—16. 
Furthermore,  for  the  notice  served  on  Klaes  Tyssen,  his  servant, 
Evert  Pels  shall  for  certain  reasons  pay  to  the  honorable  director 

the  sum  of fl.  4 

For  summons  served  there  by  the  director ....  fl.  3  —  4 

To  de  Hoogens,  for  writing fl.  2— 10 

To  Hans  Vos  for  citation fl.    1—16 

Thus  done  and  ratified  by  us  as  regards  the  matter  of  Claes 
Tyssen. 

As  to  the  matter  of  Tomes  Jansz  it  is  decided  that  Evert  Pels 
shall  pay  to  the  Hon.  Director  B.  v.  Slichtenhorst  the  sum  of 
ten  guilders,  once,  for  costs  and  expenses.  Finally,  Evert  Pels 
shall  pay  to  the  officer,  once  for  all,  the  sum  of  fl.  10,  on  con- 
dition that  the  director  shall  not  trouble  said  Pels  or  his  people 
any  more,  provided  Evert  Pels  pays  as  above  written  within  thf 
space  of  eight  days.  Thus  done  to  the  best  of  our  knowledge 
and  decision  in  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  on  the  date  above 
written.  And  was  signed:  Adryaen  vander  Donck,  Jan 
Louwerensz  Appel. 

I  certify  that  the  foregoing  agrees  with  the  original 

A:  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 

[41]    This  day,  Tuesday,  September  21    Anno   1649,  Jan 
Dircksz  van  Bremen  complains  to  the  honorable  director  about  an 


1  Stettin,  Germany. 


94  Colony  of 

assault  committed  upon  him  on  the  public  road  near  the  house 
of  Willem  Teyller  by  Dirck  Hendricksz  from  Hilversom  and 
requests  that  justice  be  done  in  the  matter. 

The  plaintiff  was  cut  with  a  knife  from  the  right  to  the  left 
side  of  his  lower  lip,  from  the  upper  corner  down  to  his  chin,  so 
that  the  right  side  [of  his  lip]  hangs  down  loose. 

He  says  that  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  the  Croat l  stabbed 
him  with  a  knife  through  his  sleeve,  from  the  side,  and  that  on 
his  turning  around  Dirck  gave  him  the  cut.  That  thereafter  the 
Croat  and  Aert  Aertsz  attacked  each  other  with  knives  and  that 
subsequently  Dirck  aforesaid  wounded  said  Aert. 

[In  the  margin]  This  day,  November  29  Anno  1649,  Aert 
Aertsz  acknowledges  and  confirms  this  declaration  which  was 
sworn  to. 

Quod  attestor,  A:  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 
Information  taken  by  the  director  from  the 
mouth  of  Franz  Jacobsz,  bachelor,  about 
1  7  years  old 

Declares  that  Claes  Andriesz  from  Hilversom,  about  mid- 
night, between  the  20th  and  2 1  st  of  October  1 649,  lay  sleeping 
in  the  Greenen  Bos,  down  on  the  river  bank,  before  the  house 
where  Evert  Pels  lives,  and  that  Jacob  Lambertsz  two  or  three 
times  in  succession  rolled  down  from  the  upper  part  of  the  bank 
over  the  body  of  Claes  aforesaid,  who,  being  awakened  thereby 
and  angry,  struck  said  Jacob  on  the  head,  first  with  his  fist  and 
then  with  a  stone,  in  such  a  way  that  Jacob  fell.  Getting  up 
again,  Jacob  ran  up  the  bank  and  got  a  knife  with  which  he 
approached  Claes,  saying,  after  he  had  sharpened  the  knife  a 
couple  of  times  on  the  ground,  Now  stand  your  man!  Where- 
upon Claes,  seeing  this,  came  up  the  height  and  struck  Jacob, 
who  cut  Claes  several  times  across  the  body  with  the  back  of  the 
knife  . 

[Note   in    the   margin:]         [Claejs  says  that  de 

Goojer     .     .     .     the  presence     .     .     .     has 


1  Abraham  Stevensz. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  95 

[41  y]  November  12.  Cornelis  Segersz,  or  Claesen,  has  on 
his  own  authority  slaughtered  an  old  cow,  for  which  he  is  sum- 
moned to  appear  on  Thursday  next. 

Extraordinary  session,  the  15th  day  of  November  Anno  1649 

In  consideration  of  the  high  prices  of  foodstuffs  and  all  that 
appertains  thereto  and  consequently  of  all  commodities,  as  is 
daily  shown,  Monsr-  Arent  van  Curler  is  granted  six  guilders  a 
week  for  board  of  the  mechanics  who  do  any  building  or  other 
work  at  the  patroon's  expense  on  the  farm  called  ''  de  Vlackte," 
the  same  being  hereby  also  granted  to  all  others  who  furnish  any 
board  at  the  proper  expense  of  the  patroon. 

Court  proceedings,  November  18  Anno  1649 

Copy 

The  Honorable  Slichtenhorst,  director  of  the  colony  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck,  will  please  issue  an  attachment  against  Willem 
Menten  on  the  Vlackte  for  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  guilders,  thirteen  stivers  (fl.  228-13—). 

Actum,  October  18,  1649.  Was  signed:  Adriaen  Jansz  van 
Leyden. 

Agrees  with  the  original, 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

Attached   and   cited   on    the   above   mentioned   court   day   by 
Director  Slichtenhorst. 

[42]   Date  as  above 

Evert  Pels  and  Willem  Fredericksz  summoned  by  Director 
Slichtenhorst  in  regard  to  the  rent  for  the  farm  formerly  occupied 
by  Cryn  Cornelisz  and  the  mill  formerly  used  by  Jacob  Plodder, 
for  which  he  is  to  give  security  according  to  the  contract  of  the 
farm  and  the  mills. 

Willem  Fredericksz,  appearing,  acknowledges  that  he  leased 


96  Colony  of  Rensselaersivycfy 

the  farm  for  fl.  400  in  addition  to  the  tithes  and  the  toepacht l 
and  the  mills  together  for  fl.  1 25  a  year.  Furthermore,  as  to  the 
wheat  of  Pieter  Teunisz,  that  they  received  this  at  fl.  55  the 
morgen,"  no  more  morgens,  no  more  pay.  Evert  Pels,  first 
default. 

Adriaen  Jansz,  plaintiff  against  Willem  Mynten,  asks  suffi- 
cient security  for  [vacating]  the  attachment.  Willem  Menten, 
first  default 

Cornelis  Segersz.     First  default. 

Upon  the  petition  of  the  honorable  director  in  the  matter  of 
Michiel  Jansz,  it  is  appointed  that  the  former  judgment  shall  be 
enforced  and  he  is  ordered  once  more  to  bring  in  his  account, 
accompanied  by  vouchers  properly  signed  by  sureties,  in  [the 
beginning?]  of  April  Anno  1650,  or  sooner,  under  penalty 
[of  final  judgment]  by  default. 

Notice  was  served  on  Toenis  Dircksz  the  22d  of  November 
1649. 

]    November   1649     .     .     .      [Remainder  of  page 
destroyed.  ] 

[42v]  Court  proceedings,  December  2  Anno  1649 

Willem  Menten  admits  that  he  owes  Jan  Lourisz  the  sum  of 
228  guilders. 

Baerent  Pietersz  summoned  by  the  director. 

Ordered  that  each  one  shall  mark  his  bags  and  that  Baerent 
Piertersz  shall  despatch  each  one's  business  as  soon  as  possible, 
in  order  that  no  more  complaints  may  be  heard. 

December  8.  Juriaen  Westval  and  Jochem  Ketelheym  sum- 
moned to  appear  on  the  1 6th  of  this  month.  December  1 6,  first 
default. 

9  ditto.  Evert  Pels  and  Willem  Fredericksz  summoned  like- 
wise. December  1 6,  first  default. 


1  Something  in  the  nature  of  a  quitrent,  generally  paid  in  kind,  to  which 
Director   van   Slichtenhorst   was   entitled.      See    Van   Rensselaer  Boivier 
Mss,  p.  762. 

2  1   morgen  =  2  acres. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  97 

9   [ditto].     Beernt,  the  miller,1  summoned  likewise.    Decem- 
ber 1 6,  first  default. 


December  1 3  Anno  1 649 

Gerrit  van  Wencom  declares  that  a  certain  Mahican,  whom 
he  [found]  at  [Aer]t  Jacobsz's,  at  Bethlehem,  on  Wednesday, 
the  8th  of  December  1649,  [said  Indian]  being  quite  drunk 
with  anise  water,  assaulted  and  fell  upon  him  in  cold  blood  and 
almost  strangled  him,  in  such  a  way  that  his  head  was  extremely 
swollen,  but  that  he  was  accidently  released  by  another  Indian. 

Aertsz  and  Hans  Vos  declare 

last  week.  .  .    [Remainder  of  page  destroyed] . 

[43]  They  declare  also  that  the  strong  liquor  was  sold  to  the 
Indians  by  Aert  Jacobsz  by  wooden  bowlfuls  and  tapped  to 
them  in  large  quantities,  the  wine  being  mixed  with  water,  but 
that  Aert  aforesaid  was  unwilling  to  tap  to  any  one,  among  others 
to  Gerrit  van  Wencom,  who  did  not  have  ready  money,  saying 
that  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  that,  not  even  in  case  of 
the  director,  so  that  Aert  Jacobsz  came  back  empty  handed. 
And  that  Aert  Jacobsz  said  that  for  a  gill  of  wine  (mixed  half 
and  half  with  water) ,  he  could  get  eight  stivers  from  the  Indians. 

The  aforesaid  deponents  have  confirmed  and  corroborated  the 
foregoing  by  the  clasping  of  hands  with  the  director,  instead  of 
by  oath. 

Quod  attestor, 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

This  day,  the  1 4th  of  December  Anno  1 649,  the  director  and 
commissioners  have  sold  to  Ruth  Jacobsz  a  black  stallion  of  10 
years  and  a  bay  gelding  of  8  years,  both  for  fl.  225,  and  for 
pasturing  each  horse  [he  is  to  pay]  yearly  fl.  8. 


1  Barent  Pietersz  Coeymans,  referred  to  above. 

4 


98 


Colony  of 


Court  proceedings,  December  16  Anno   1649 

Willem  Teyller  declares  that  Thomas  Chambers  on  the  21st 
day  of  November  1  649,  on  the  bridge  of  the  [fort]  ,  being  drunk, 
committed  assault  .  .  .  [Remainder  of  page  destroyed]. 

[43v]   Extraordinary  session,  December  17  Anno  1649 

Jacob  Hevick,  appearing  this  day  before  the  court  upon  the 
[summons]  of  the  director,  in  regard  to  some  boards  of  the 
honorable  patroon  which  were  missing  and  which  the  director 
informs  us  for  certain  he  saw  at  his  house,  admits  here  that  some 
time  ago  and  again  to-day  he  offered  to  settle  for  them  with  the 
aforesaid  director. 

The  commissioners,  basing  their  action  on  the  ground  of  the 
aforesaid  offer  of  settlement,  which  no  innocent  person  would 
have  made,  upon  the  director's  proposal  order  in  the  first  place 
his  arrest  and,  secondly,  that  proceedings  be  taken  against  him 
according  to  law,  all  with  costs. 

Extraordinary  session,  December  18  Anno  1649 
Examination  of  Jacob  Hevick 


Jacob  is  asked  what  has  be- 
come of  the  old  boards  which 
a  short  time  ago  were  lying 
near  his  house  and  which  now 
are  gone? 

Is  asked  whether  he  carted 
or  carried  them  away? 

Is  asked:  [By  day  or]  by 
night? 

[44]  Is  asked  where  he 
obtained  the  16  new  boards 
lying  near  his  house? 


Answer 
the  yard. 


They  are  lying  in 


Answer:    He   carried   them 
away. 

Answers:     [Remainder    of 
page  destroyed]. 

Answers:  2  from  Crynen 

2    from    Casteels 

island 

12  from  the  Mill 
Kill 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  99 

Is  asked  what  he  paid  for          Answers:  Nothing, 
them? 

Is    asked:    By    day    or   by          Answers:  By  night, 
night,   namely   from   the   Mill 
Kill? 

Question:  In  what  manner?          Answers:  With  a  canoe. 

Is  asked:  From  where?  Answers:  From  the  strand, 

where    the    other   boards    are 
lying. 

Is  asked  who  helped  him?  Answers:  He  did  it  alone. 

December  [22]  1649,  Rut  Jacobsz  has  taken  the  oath  as 
member  of  the  council  (raets  vrundi) ,  the  oath  being  admin- 
istered by  the  director  in  the  presence  of  the  commissioners. 

[44v]   Extraordinary  session,  December  20  Anno  1649 

[Blank  space] 

Mr  Rutger  Jacobsz  took  his  oath  as  councilor  on  the  22d  of 
December. 

Extraordinary  session,  December  22,   1649 

Two  qualified  arbitrators  having  been  chosen  in  the  matter 
of  Jacob  Hevick,  to  wit,  Andries  de  Vos  and  Rutger  Jacobsz, 
they  have  (as  the  result  of  arbitration  and  with  the  consent  of 
the  director  according  to  previous  conclusion)  decided  before  the 
honorable  court  of  this  colony,  in  the  first  place,  that  Jacob 
Hevick  shall  restore  the  stolen  property,  or  the  value  thereof,  to 
the  person  from  whom  he  stole  it.  Furthermore,  that  he  shall 
pay  to  the  honorable  director  a  fine  of  seven  guilders  and  two 
beavers,  in  addition  to  the  costs  of  convening  the  court  in  extra 
session,  according  to  the  order  [  ]  and  otherwise  by 

declaration   [  ]    [  ] 

fifty  guilders  [  ]    [  ]  thanks  the  gentle- 

men for  [  ] 

[Remainder  of  page  destroyed]. 


100  Colony  of  Rensselaersv>\)cJ( 

[45]  Memorandum.  In  the  beginning  of  October  1649,  the 
director  and  commissioners  decided  to  exchange  some  of  the 
honorable  patroon's  stallions  for  mares  of  Mr  Arent  van  Curler, 
pro  Tata,  according  to  the  value  of  each,  which  was  afterwards 
done. 

October  5,  the  patroon's  sheep  were  sold  to  Mr  Stuyvesant, 
for  the  reason  that  the  wolves  daily  destroyed  many  of  them  and 
this  bait  also  resulted  in  the  loss  of  some  calves. 

About  the  same  date,  the  director  and  commissioners,  on  the 
earnest  presentation  of  Mr  Stuyvesant,  presented  a  mare,  on 
condition  of  receiving  in  return  at  the  first  opportunity  a  Curasao 
mare,  the  first  foal  of  which,  or  the  value  thereof,  is  promised  to 
his  son. 

September  22,  a  stallion  was  sold  to  Andries  de  Vos  for 
fl.  50.  This  stallion  had  an  accident  happen  to  its  scrotum 
whereby  it  lost  much  blood,  not  without  danger  to  its  life,  for 
which  reason  it  was  sold  at  so  low  a  price. 

Court  proceedings,  December  30,   1649 

Evert  Pels  acknowledges  his  signature  to  the  contract  of  the 
farm  formerly  occupied  by  him  and  agrees  to  render  his  account 
within  14  days. 

[  ]    security  for  the  farm     .     .     .      [remainder 

of  the  page  destroyed] . 

[45v]   Copy 

Aert  Jacobsz:  Deliver  to  Jan  Reyersz,  the  bearer  hereof, 
the  extra  heifer  which  you  have.  It  will  be  accounted  to  you  for 
good  delivery  and  be  deducted  from  the  number  [of  animals]  in 
your  possession.  In  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  this  27th  of 
December  Anno  1649.  And  was  signed:  B.  v.  Slichtenhorst. 
Lower  was  written: 

Aert  Jacobsz  is  ordered  once  more  to  deliver  the  said  heifer 
to  the  aforesaid  person,  under  penalty  of  forfeiture  of  three 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  101 

guilders  for  each  day's  delay  after  sight  hereof.  R-Wyck,  the 
30th  of  December  1649.  And  was  signed:  A.  de  Hoogens,  by 
order  as  above. 

Certified  by  me,  as  director, 

B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST 
[Note  in  the  margin:] 

Picket l  declares  in  the  presence  of  the  director,  Mr  Hoogens 
and  Monsr.  Verbrugge  and  in  his  house  that  Aert  Jacobsz  and 
his  wife  said  to  him  and  Jan  Reyersz,  when  lately  they  went  to 
get  the  aforesaid  heifer  and  after  they  had  first  shown  the  order 
from  the  director  and  the  commissioners,  that  they  did  not  care 
a  rap  for  a  such  a  little  note  and,  furthermore,  that  when  Picket 
wanted  to  untie  the  aforesaid  animal  and  could  not  undo  the 
rope,  the  wife  of  the  said  [Aert]  forcibly  prevented  him  from 
using  his  knife  and  grabbed  the  knife  with  which  Picket  intended 
to  cut  loose  the  animal. 

1650,  January  10.  Abraham,  otherwise  called  Crowaet, 
summoned  to  appear  on  the  13th  of  this  month. 

The  1 1  th  ditto,  the  director  arrested  Jacob  van  Schermerhoorn 
in  the  colony  on  account  of  assault  committed  upon  him  in  his 
own  or  the  patroon's  jurisdiction  and  summoned  him  to  appear 
on  the  1 3th  of  January.  First  default. 

The  1 1  th  ditto,  Cornelis  Segersz  was  likewise  summoned  by 
the  director  to  appear  on  the  13th,  on  account  of  an  assault  com- 
mitted upon  him.  First  default. 

The  1 3th  ditto,  Hans  in  Cluys  2  was  summoned  to  appear  on 
the  20th  of  January  to  make  payment  and  to  state  whether  he 
stands  by  what  he  said  to  the  wagoner 3  in  the  presence  in  the 
presence  of  Tomas  Koeninck's  wife  and  others.  First  default. 

The  13th  ditto.  Van  Es  summoned  again  to  appear  on  the 
next  court  day,  to  wit,  the  20th,  and  forbidden  to  tap  according 
to  the  ordinance  and  the  ordinance  read  to  him  in  the  presence 


1  Michel  Picquet. 

2  Hans  Jansz,  from  Rotterdam,  also  called  Eencluys. 

3  Aert  Jacobsz. 


102  Colony  of  RensselaersTvycfj; 

of  Messrs  Rut  Jacobsz  and  Goesen  Gerritsz,  and  he  promises  to 
appear  in  14  days. 

The  1 4th,  Abraham  Crowaet  summoned  the  second  time,  the 
notice  being  served  on  [Louwerns  Jansz?]  in  whose  house  he 
lives. 

Louwerens  also  summoned  to  appear  on  the  [  ]  ditto,  to 

give  testimony  [  ]  having  tapped 

wines  [  ] 

Tomes  Compeer,1  to  whom  notice  was  served  there  as  above. 

Baernt,  the  miller,2  [  ] 

[Remainder  of  page  destroyed]. 
[46]   Copy 

Any  one  desiring  to  lease  [one  of]  the  following  places  is  to 
repair  two  weeks  from  next  Monday,  being  the  3 1  st  of  January 
1650,  to  the  house  of  Gysbert  Cornelisz,  tavernkeeper,  [where] 
on  such  terms  as  shall  then  be  read  [will  be  offered]  : 

Casteels  island,  as  a  whole,  heretofore  used  by  Cornelis 
Segersz. 

Also,  the  farm  of  Jan  van  Bremen,  and  about  six  morgens  of 
land  used  by  Cristoffel  Davits  and  Cryn  Cornelisz. 

Also,  two  millstones,  to  be  sold  to  the  highest  bidder 
Pass  it  along! 
Copy 

Annual  notice  is  given  hereby  that  no  one  who  is  in  arrears  to 
the  patroon  as  to  rent  shall  undertake  to  remove  any  grain,  or 
boards,  or  other  effects,  or  in  the  spring  send  them  away  in  any 
vessels,  under  penalty  of  forfeiting  the  grain  or  effects  thus  sent 
away  and  of  paying  in  addition  a  fine  of  twenty-five  guilders. 
Neither  shall  any  skipper  knowingly  venture  to  transport  any 
such  goods,  under  the  penalty  above  mentioned,  nor  transport 
any  such  persons  under  the  penalty  provided  by  the  ordinance  by 
the  Hon.  General  Peter  Stuyvesant. 

May  every  one  guard  himself  against  loss. 


1  Thomas  Higgins. 

2  Barent  Pietersz  Coeymans. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


103 


January   [  ]   Aernt  at  Betelhem  [Bethlehem]   to  pay 

[  ]  rent,  as  well  as  the  rent  for  the  year  1649     .     .     . 

[Remainder  of  the  page  destroyed], 

[46v]  Interrogatories  on  which  is  to  be 
examined  under  oath  Stintgen  Peters,  the 
wife  of  Louwerens  Jansz,  living  on  the  farm 
of  Aryaen  Huybertsz 


First,  her  age. 

1  Whether  she,  the  witness, 
on  New  Year's  eve,  did  not 
have  some  people  in  her  house, 
to  wit,  Baernt,  the  miller,  and 
his  brother,  Lucas,  Abraham, 
otherwise     called     Craewaet, 
Tomes  Compeer,  Englishman, 
Peter  de  Goyer,  and  Tuenis, 
the  servant? 

2  Whether  in  the  fore  part 
of  the  night,  at  about  2  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  there  were  not 
two    shots    fired    before    her 
door? 

3  Also,    which   persons    did 
the  firing?  ( 

4  Whether,  at  the  aforesaid 
firing  Hans  Vos  did  not  come 
to  her  house,  as  one  could  not 
tell  what  it  meant,  whether  it 
was  done  by  friend  or  enemy? 

5  Whether  Baernt,  the  miller, 
and  his  brother  did  not  try  to 
hit  Hans  Vos,  who  was  sent 
there  by  order  of  the  director 
and    whether    Aryaen    Huy- 
bertsz and  the  wife  of  the  said 


Declares :  About  40  years. 
Answers:  Yes. 


Says,  she  heard  it,  but  was 
in  the  barn  to  milk  the  cows. 


Says,  that  she  does  not  know 
exactly. 

Answers  as  [stated]  in  the 
question. 


Says,    that    she    was    then 
already  in  bed. 


104 


Colony  of  RensselaersrvycJt 


Answers  as  above. 


Answers  in  accordance  with 
the  question. 


Baernt  did  not  try  to  prevent 
it? 

6  Whether  Beernt  and  his 
brother  tore  Hans  Vos's  bald- 
ric from  his  body  and  to 
pieces  ? 

Also,  whether  Beernt,  after 
the  witness  had  gone  to  bed, 
did  not  get  [six]  sausages  from 
the  garret,  that  the  same  fell 
.  so  that  she,  the  wit- 
ness, ran  out  of  her  bed  and 
[recovered]  some  pieces  of  the 
six  sausages  [and  pulled]  an- 
other piece  out  of  Beernt's 
[hand] ? 


[47]   Court  proceedings,  January  20  Anno  1650 

As  to  the  affairs  of  Jacob  Hevick,  as  something,  or  so  much 
as  shall  appear  to  the  honorable  patroon  by  lawful  account,  is 
due  him  from  the  patroon,  the  amount  thereof,  subject  to  the 
patroon's  decision,  is  for  the  present  deducted  from  his  debt. 

Abraham  Stevensz  admits  that  on  New  Year's  eve,  1 650,  he 
fired  twice  at  the  house  of  Adr[i]aen  Huybertsz. 

January  29,  1650 

Teunis  Cornelisz  acknowledges  that  he  surrendered  his  lease 
of  the  farm  to  the  director  on  January  27,  1650,  which  the 
director  accepted  on  condition  that  he  must  pay  [what  he  owed] . 

Teunis  Cornelisz  answers  that  another  house  was  promised 
him  and  that  the  present  one  is  not  habitable  on  account  of  the 
smoke,  which  sometimes  makes  it  necessary  for  him  to  lead  his 
wife  outdoors,  and  that  he  gave  it  up  on  that  account. 

The  director  answers  that  Steven  Jansz  called  on  his  honor 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  105 

and  told  him  that  the  lumber  was  not  yet  all  near  the  [house], 
which  Theunis  Cornelisz  admits,  but  he  says  that  the  building 
need  not  have  been  delayed  on  that  account. 

[47v]   Court  proceedings,  February  3,   1650 

Abraham  Stevensz  has  this  day  leased  the  meadow  (  f^a/eije) 
behind  the  farm  of  Broer  Cornells  for  one  and  a  half  beavers  a 
year,  on  condition  that  all  expenses  shall  be  borne  by  him,  and 
this  for  the  period  of  four  or  five  years. 

February  17,   1650 

The  director,  for  his  charges  in  connection  with  the  misde- 
meanor committed  by  Abraham  Stevensz  Croaet  in  shooting 
during  the  night,  is  granted,  in  accordance  with  his  bill,  forty 
guilders,  once,  which  the  said  director  is  to  levy  by  execution. 

Hans  Vos  is  granted  by  tne  court  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
guilders  for  his  supervision  during  the  past  year  at  the  house  of 
Cornelis  van  Es  and  Pieter  Claesz,  for  which  execution  may  be 
had  against  van  Es,  as  surety,  on  condition  that  he  be  given  two 
weeks'  notice. 

[48]  Cornelis  van  Es  and  Teunis  having  been  summoned  to 
appear  on  the  date  above  written,  the  first  default  is  entered 
against  them. 

Hans  Vos  is  granted  by  the  court  the  sum  of  eight  guilders  for 
having  in  the  name  of  the  patroon,  at  the  peril  of  his  life,  pursued 
the  fugitive,  Harmen  vanden  Bogaert,  outside  the  limits  of  the 
colony.1 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  the  honorable  director 
and  commissioners  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  of  the  one 
part  and  Tuenis  Dircksz  van  Vechten  of  the  other  part  intend  to 
sell  to  the  highest  bidder  the  brewery  in  the  Grenen  Bosch,  to 


^ee  resolution  of  the  director  general  and  council  of  New  Netherland 
of  February  8,  1648  (N.  Y.  Col.  Mss,  4:360).  See  also  J.  H.  Innes, 
New  Amsterdam  and  its  People,  p.  68—71. 


106  Colony  of 

wit,  the  house,  caldron,  vat,  tubs  and  whatever  else  pertains  to 
the  brewery,  as  it  shall  be  found  on  the  day  of  sale,  when  the 
conditions  as  set  forth  in  the  inventory  will  be  read.  Those  who 
are  interested  are  to  repair  Monday  week,  being  the  7th  of 
March  anno  1650,  to  the  house  of  Gysbert  Cornelisz,  tavern- 
keeper,  and  there,  having  heard  the  conditions,  to  seek  their 
advantage. 

Pass  it  along! 

February  26,  1650,  Monsr.  Verbrugge  in  the  name  of  the 
Hon.  General  Peter  Stuyvesant  [protested  against]  the  taking 
possession  of  Catskil. 

Cornelis  Segersz  and  Aert  Jacobsz  of  Betelhem  summoned 
[  ]  February  1650. 

[One  or  two  lines  destroyed]. 

[48v]  Court  proceedings,  March  3,  1650 

Resolved  that  Cornelis  Segersz,  pursuant  to  the  ordinances  of 
May  31  and  June  10,  1649,  shall  pay  to  the  director  for  the 
benefit  of  the  patroon,  within  the  space  of  three  weeks  after  the 
date  hereof,  the  200  schepels  of  wheat  attached,  or  the  value 
thereof  in  merchantable  goods,  under  penalty  of  peremptory  exe- 
cution, on  condition  that  the  director  give  security  and  a  receipt 
therefor. 

[Notes  in  the  margin:]  'The  200  schepels  of  wheat  of 
Cornelis  Segersz,  by  way  of  memorandum."  *  This  judgment 
was  read  to  him  in  court." 

Resolved  that  Cornelis  Segersz's  account  shall  be  examined, 
whatever  is  wrong  to  be  rejected  and  what  is  right  to  be  accepted, 
and  that  the  matter  at  issue  shall  then  be  referred  to  the  honorable 
masters,  on  condition  that  Cornelis  Segersz  furnish  surety  for  the 
payment. 

[Note  in  the  margin:]  "  This  was  also  read  to  him  in  court." 

The  director,  plaintiff,  against  Jacob  Flodder,  defendant. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  107 

The  director  demands  that  Jacob  aforesaid,  for  having 
wounded  Poulus,  the  Noorman,  in  the  head  with  a  tankard,  be 
fined  fl.  300,  according  to  the  ordinance. 

The  defense  of  Jacob  and  Poulus  is  put  over  until  [a  week?] 
from  this  day. 

[49]  The  director,  plaintiff,  against  Christoffel  Davits, 
defendant: 

For  having  hit  Ryck  Rutgersz  on  the  head  with  a  post ;  double 
fine; 

For  having  beaten  his  servant  black  and  blue;  same  fine  as 
above ; 

For  having  struck  Jan  van  Bremen  on  the  head  with  a 
tankard,  making  two  wounds;  fl.  300. 

Jeuriaen  Bestval  acknowledges  his  signature  to  the  contract. 

Thomas  Fairfax  is  ordered  to  furnish  surety  within  two  weeks 
from  this  day  for  the  judgment  in  the  action  brought  against  him 
by  Christoffel  Davits. 

Gysbert  aende  Berch  1  promises  within  two  weeks  to  furnish 
surety  for  the  rent  of  his  farm  and  to  pay  as  much  as  possible. 

Jacob  Lambertsz  is  warned  once  more  to  pay  his  fine  to  the 
director  within  the  space  of  two  weeks,  or  to  furnish  two  sufficient 
sureties. 

[49v]  March  2,  1650.  Vos  attached  all  the  grain  on  the 
Hoogen  Berch. 

9  ditto.  All  the  grain  on  the  farms  of  Tunis  2  and  Jochim  3 
attached  by  Vos. 

9  ditto.  Dirck  de  Goyer  4  summoned  to  appear  on  the  1  7th 
ditto. 

15  ditto.  The  director  attached  all  the  grain  of  Cornelis 
Segersz,  both  thrashed  and  unthrashed. 


1  Gysbert  Cornelisz  from  Breuckelen,  so  named  from  the  farm  called 
the  Berch,  or  the  Hooge  Berch  (the  High  Hill),  occupied  by  him. 

2  Teunis  Dircksz  van  Vechten. 
3Jochem  Kettelheym. 

4  Dirck  Hendricksz,  from  Hilversum,  in  the  Gooi,  province  of  North 
Holland. 


108  Colony  of 

Court  proceedings,  March  1  7  Anno  1 650 

Those  who  hold  under  a  lease  any  property  of  the  patroon, 
whether  farms,  mills,  or  other  [property  from  which  they  receive] 
emoluments,  must  sign  the  lease  within  the  space  of  three  weeks 
after  the  notice  is  served,  on  pain  of  being  deprived  of  the  lease. 

All  those  who  heretofore  have  held  any  property  in  common 
with  the  patroon  and  afterwards  have  kept  the  farm  implements, 
household  effects  and  other  property  for  their  private  use,  con- 
trary to  all  law,  are  ordered  hereby  to  deliver  a  correct  inventory 
thereof  within  two  weeks  from  the  date  of  service  of  the  notice 
and  to  confirm  the  same  by  oath,  after  which  both  sides  shall 
choose  impartial  persons  to  make  an  appraisal. 

[In  ^the  margin  is  written:]  March  21,  1650,  notice  was 
served  on  Toenis  Dircksz  and  Broer  Cornelis. 

Jan  Reyersz  offers  himself  as  surety  for  Ryck  Rutgersz  for  the 
fulfilment  of  his  contract  in  all  its  parts. 

[50]  The  director  is  granted  permission  and  hereby  urged  to 
arrest  de  facto  and  take  into  bodily  custody  one  Dirck  de  Goojer, 
the  court  being  ready  to  hear  the  director's  complaint  against  him. 
Likewise,  Claes  1  and  Jacob  Lambertsz,  his  comrades. 

This  day,  Mr  Carel  van  Bruggen,  assisted  by  Pieter  Prins 
and  Jan  Labatie,  as  witnesses,  has  delivered  to  the  director  a 
protest  against  claiming  title  to  Catskil. 

Jacob  Plodder  says  here  [in  court]  that  Poulus  called  him  a 
rascal,  for  which  he  is  fined  by  the  director. 

Claes  Segersz  and  Jeuriaen  Bestval  offer  themselves  as  sureties 
for  the  payment  of  three  years'  rent  by  Gysbert  Coraelisz  aende 
Berch  and  confirm  this  by  the  clasping  of  hands. 

Jacob  Plodder  denies  that  the  director  saw  him  drinking  at 
the  house  of  Gysbert  Cornelisz,  tavernkeeper,  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing, December  [13?]  1648. 

The  director,  Jacob  Plodder  and  Poulus,  the  Noorman,  sub- 
mit their  differences  for  final  decision  to  the  commissioners  and 
councilors  of  this  colony. 

1  Claes  Andriesz. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  109 

Ryck  Rutgersz  acknowledges  that  he  sold  to  Jacob  Plodder- 
the  lumber  which  is  ready  for  the  house  or  barn. 

[50v]   Extraordinary  session,  Friday,  March  18,   1650 

Personal  confession  of  Claes  Andriesz  of  Hilversom 

He  admits  that  on  July  16,  1649,  he  struck  at  Hendrick 
Driesz *  with  a  knife. 

He  denies  2  that  on  September  20,  1 649,  he  drew  a  sheath 
instead  of  a  knife  across  the  director's  body. 

He  denies  that  Steven  Jansz  shut  the  door  in  his  face. 

He  admits  that  he  treated  the  director  insolently  on  the  public 
road  between  Thomas  Jansz's  and  Gysbert's  and  asked  the 
director  what  induced  him  to  summon  him,  but  says  that  the 
director  asked  him  first  why  he  had  not  appeared. 

He  denies  that  he  challenged  his  master,  Jan  Baerentsz,  but 
admits  the  challenged  Steven  Jansz  once,  but  did  not  draw  a 
knife. 

He  denies  that  on  September  20,  1649,  he  ran  after  Jan  van 
Bremen. 

He  admits  that  on  January  31,  1 650,  he  struck  Gysbert  aende 
Berch  on  the  forehead. 

He  admits  that  he  asked  Steven  Jansz  whether  he  had  been 
yet  to  the  director's,  whereupon  Steven  replied,  Yes,  and  he  then 
said  that  he  [the  director]  might  speak  to  him  about  it  if  he  chose. 

He  denies  having  challenged  Steven  Jansz  with  a  knife  on 
February  20,  1650. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:]  March  26,  1650,  he  begged  for- 
giveness on  his  knees. 

[51]   Confession  of  Dirck  Hendricksz  of  Hilversom 
He  admits  that  on  July  12,  1649,  he  unhitched  one  of  the 
patroon's  horses  which  was  tied  near  the  patroon's  house  and 


1  Hendrick  Andriesz,  from  Doesburch. 

2beffent  (admits)  is  changed  to  ontfyeni  (denies). 


1 1 0  Colony  of  Remse/aersnn?c£ 

rode  it  into  the  Casteels  island  creek,  with  the  result  that  the 
horse  was  drowned  under  him. 

He  denies  having  slandered  the  director  on  December  19, 
1 649.  [  In  the  margin  is  written :  ]  Hans  Vos  testifies  that  he  did. 

He  denies  having  practically  prevented  Jan  van  Bremen 
before  the  door  of  the  barn  of  Evert  Pels  from  taking  a  horse 
out  of  the  barn. 

He  acknowledges  having  entered  into  a  contract  with  the 
patroon  and  also  that  on  his  own  authority  he  left  the  service. 

He  says  that  Adriaen  Huybertsz  on  Shrove-Tuesday  invited 
him  to  his  house  out  of  friendship  and  that  he  did  not  seek 
trouble. 

He  denies  that  Thomas  Chamber  struck  him  or  that  they 
grappled  with  each  other. 

He  admits  that  on  September  20,  1 649,  he  ran  after  Jan  van 
Bremen  and  Aert  Otterspoor  and  cut  said  Jan  Dircksz  with  a 

Irnifp 

Knire. 

Dirck  declares  that  Jacob  Lambertsz  took  Claes  Andriesz, 
who  lay  sleeping  on  the  river  banck  near  the  house  of  Evert  Pels, 
by  the  arm  and  rolled  with  him  down  the  bank,  whereupon  Claes 
struck  said  Jacob  with  a  stone  and  that  thereupon  Jacob  went  to 
get  his  knife  and  wounded  said  Claes. 

[51v]   Extraordinary  session,  March  19  Anno  1650 

Gysbert  Cornelisz,  tavernkeeper,  and  Pieter  Prins  declare 
that  the  savages,  who  some  time  ago  made  the  disturbance  before 
the  patroon's  house,  had  come  over  drunk  from  the  other  side. 

Extraordinary  session,  March  21   Anno  1650 

Dirck  Hendricksz  declares  that  Croaet,  last  fair  day,1  held  a 
knife  in  his  hand  while  grappling  with  Aert  Aertsz.  He  says 
that  Jan  van  Bremen  and  Aert  did  him  no  harm  at  the  time. 


generally  referring  to  the  Amsterdam  fair,  which  according 
to  New  York  Colonial  Mss,  1:268,  came  in  1641  on  September  22. 
In  this  case,  however,  according  to  the  minutes,  September  21,  1649, 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  1 1 1 

Extraordinary  session,  March  22  Anno  1650 

Andries  Herberts  offers  himself  as  surety  for  Thomas  Fairfax 
in  the  action  brought  against  him  on  account  of  the  horse  that 
was  drowned. 

Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck  binds  himself  as  surety  for 
Jacob  Lambertsz,  to  wit,  in  the  sum  of  fl.  83,  due  of  old,  which 
he  promises  to  pay  within  three  weeks. 

Goossen  Gerritsz  binds  himself  as  surety  for  Jacob  Lambertsz, 
to  wit,  in  fl.  150,  the  amount  determined  upon  by  composition. 

[52]  Croaet  says  that  Jan  van  Bremen  and  Aert  Otterspoor 
last  fair  day  did  him  no  harm.  Croaet  admits  having  drawn  a 
knife  on  Aer£  but  says  that  Aert  drew  his  knife  first. 

Upon  the  director's  request  that  Croaet  [be  ordered  to]  give 
bail,  consent  is  given,  on  condition  that  Jan  van  Bremen  and  Aert 
likewise,  give  bail. 

Extraordinary  session,  March  25  Anno  1650 

The  case  of  Claes  for  definite  reasons  adjourned  until 
to-morrow,  in  order  with  God's  help  to  dispose  of  it  if  possible.1 

[52v]    Extraordinary  session,  March  26  Anno   1 650 2 

In  the  matter  of  several  serious  misdemeanors  of  Claes 
Andriesz  from  Hilversum. 

On   the  very   urgent  prayer   of  his  master,   Jan   Baerentsz 


is  intended.  It  would  be  interesting  to  know  whether  as  early  as  1649 
a  fair  was  actually  held  in  the  colony.  It  may  in  this  connection  be 
observed  that  an  act  passed  on  November  11,  1692,  provided  "that 
there  be  held  and  kept  in  the  City  and  County  of  Albany,  two  ffairs 
yearly  the  first  ffair  to  be  kept  at  Albany  and  to  Commence  the  third 
Tuesday  of  July  and  to  end  on  the  fryday  then  next  following  being  in 
all  four  days  inclusive  and  no  longer  and  the  second  fair  to  be  held  at 
Crawler  [Craloo]  in  Renselaer  Wyck  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  October, 
and  to  end  on  the  ffryday  following  being  in  all  four  dayes  inclusive  and 
no  Longer."  Colonial  Laws  of  New  York,  1  :298.  See  also  ordinance 
of  March  10,  1648,  in  Laws  and  Ordinances  of  New  Netherland, 
p.  89. 

1  In  the  margin  is  written:  March,  summoned  late."     The  rest  of  the 
page  is  blank. 

2  Also  printed  in  Van  Rensselaer  Bowler  A/ss,  p.  731—32. 


1 1 2  Colony  of  RensselaersTvycJt 

Wemp,  and  his  wife,  and  perceiving  the  great  need  of  the  same, 
the  honorable  members  of  this  court  are  moved  to  decide  as 
follows,  but  upon  the  express  pledge  of  the  delinquent. 

1st.  That  he,  Claes  Andriesz,  shall  not  enter  any  tavern  of 
this  place  to  drink  beer,  wine  or  distilled  liquors. 

2d.  That  he  shall  promise  under  oath  that  he  will  faithfully 
serve  his  present  master  and  master's  wife,  or  any  other  master 
whom  he  may  get  in  the  colony,  and  do  their  work  and  obey 
them  in  everything.  Also,  that  he  will  not  leave  their  service  or 
the  colony  before  and  until  he  has  fulfilled  his  obligations  to 
them,  the  director  and  the  patroon  according  to  his  contract  and 
promise  and  that  on  the  Lord's  day  of  rest  he  will  go  to  hear 
God's  Holy  Word  instead  of  going  to  the  tavern  and  will  show 
and  yield  all  proper  obedience  to  the  public  authorities. 

3d.  That  he  shall  also  promise  under  oath  that  he  will  give 
no  one,  whether  man,  woman  or  any  aged  person,  either  by  word 
or  deed,  the  least  cause  for  complaint  which  might  result  in 
damage  of  any  sort;  [53]  and  if  he  does,  he  shall  be  publicly 
punished  for  all  his  previous  misdemeanors,  though  all  his  fines, 
costs  of  extraordinary  sessions  of  the  court,  etc.,  had  been  paid. 

All  that  is  hereinbefore  written,  Claes  Andriesz  aforesaid, 
without  fetters,  promises  to  perform  in  every  respect,  fully  con- 
firming the  same  by  oath  in  the  presence  of  the  aforesaid  honor- 
able members  of  the  Court,  according  to  his  own  hand,  binding 
therefor  his  person  and  property,  which  he  now  owns  or  here- 
after may  own,  be  it  in  this  country,  in  the  fatherland  or  else- 
where; to  this  end  submitting  himself  to  the  honorable  court  and 
to  all  other  courts  and  justices,  without  exception,  all  with  costs. 
In  witness  whereof,  he  has  signed  this  with  his  own  hand  in  the 
colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  this  26th  of  March  Anno.  1650. 

CLAES  ANDRIESZ 

And  Claes  Andriesz  has  made  a  formal  promise  as  above 
before  this  honorable  court. 

Quod  attestor, 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  113 

Jan  Baerentsz  Wemp  promises  and  hereby  binds  himself  to 
pay  within  one  month  from  this  date  one  hundred  guilders  in 
part  payment  of  the  fines  of  Claes  Andriesz.  Dated  as  above. 

March  30,  1650.  Cornelis  Toenisz  and  Abraham  Stevensz 
de  Capiteyn  *  summoned  to  appear  to-morrow. 

[53v]  Court  proceedings,  March  31  Anno  1650 

Willem  Jeuriaensz  acknowledges  his  signature  to  his  contract. 
Also,  that  he  bought  in  the  year  1 648  one  cow  and  in  the  year 
1649  another  cow  from  the  patroon,  at  the  prices  agreed  upon. 

Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck  denies  that  recently  and 
again  on  March  26,  1 650,  at  the  leasing  of  the  farms  at  the  house 
of  Pieter  Bronck,  he  called  Hans  Vos  a  rascal  or  a  thief  catcher. 

Upon  the  petition  of  the  honorable  director: 

Passing  by  all  other  considerations,  it  is  ordered  in  general 
that  he  shall  bind  himself  by  definite  agreement  to  comply  with 
what  the  honorable  guardians  shall  ordain,  binding  therefor  his 
property,  present  or  future,  in  the  possession  of  himself  or  his 
heirs,  under  submission  to  the  honorable  court  here,  or  wherever 
it  may  please  the  honorable  patroon  or  his  agent.  Provided  that 
van  Es  (after  a  copy  of  everything  has  been  handed  to  him) 
shall  within  the  space  of  two  months  from  this  date  bring  in  his 
account  and  send  a  remonstrance  setting  forth  his  arguments  to 
the  honorable  guardians. 

Underneath  was  written: 

By  order  of  the  honorable  court  aforesaid, 

A.  DE  HooGES,  Secretary 

[54]  Jan  Dircksz  binds  the  200  guilders  due  him  by  the 
patroon  and  furthermore  his  liquid  as  well  as  not  readily  avail- 
able assets  as  security  for  the  judgment  and  also  for  Arent 
Otterspoor. 


1  Literally:  Abraham  Stevensz,  the  captain.  He  is  in  other  places 
referred  to  as  de  Croaet,  the  Croat,  and  may  have  been  a  soldier  in 
the  army  of  Count  Montecucculi  which  invaded  the  province  of  Gelder- 
land  and  the  Gooi  in  1629. 


1 1 4  Colony  of  RemselaersrvycJf 

Ruth  Jacobsz  offers  himself  as  surety  for  the  satisfaction  of 
the  judgment  in  'the  case  of  Abraham  Steventz  Croaet. 

Extraordinary  session,  April  4,   1650 

Jan  van  Bremen  says  that  Willem  Menten  was  present  at  the 
fight  between  him  and  Dirck  Hendricksz  of  Hilversum. 

Judgment  as  to  the  horse  drowned  by  Dirck  Hendricksz  from 
Hilversum: 

The  director  maintains  that  Christoffel  Davits  is  bound  to 
make  good  the  loss  of  the  horse. 

The  two  commissioners  (gecommltteerden) ,  namely,  de 
Hooges  and  Jan  van  Twiller,  and  the  two  councilors  (Raeden) , 
Ruth  Jacobsz  and  Goossen  Gerritsz,  maintain  as  follows: 

That  the  horse  was  intrusted  to  Christoffel  Davits,  but  that  he 
lent  it  to  one  Thomas  Fairfax,  his  servant,  for  his  own  use  as  well 
as,  among  other  things  (as  Thomas  has  declared  before  us),  to 
fetch  bread  for  Christoffel  Davits.  But  that,  after  Thomas  had 
left  the  horse,  properly  hitched,  in  the  public  square  near  the 
fort,  trusting  to  [the  safety  of]  the  common  road  and  the 
[vicinity  of?]  the  patroon's  house,  Dirck  Hendricksz,  also  a 
servant  of  said  Christoffel  Davits,  unhitched  the  horse  and  riding 
it  deliberately  let  it  drown,  and  that  now,  being  in  irons,  and 
being  admonished  about  it  by  the  director,  as  the  guilty  [ 
[  ]  they  maintain  .  .  . 

[remainder  of  the  page  destroyed]. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:]  The  director  appeals  from  the 
judgment.  Certified  by  me,  A.  de  Hooges. 

[54]  Antony  de  Hooges  protests  here  before  the  commis- 
sioners and  councilors  that  Director  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst  has 
to  this  date  rendered  no  account  to  them,  the  commissioners,  as 
required  by  his  instructions. 

Mr  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst  states  that  he  would  doubtless 
have  received  something  if  Antony  de  Hooges  had  not  snapped 
it  up. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  115 

Aernt  Aertsz  van  Otterspoor  offers  himself  as  surety  for  the 
payment  by  Dirck  Henricksz  of  two  hundred  guilders  for  the 
offenses  committed  by  him  according  to  the  judgment  of  the  court. 
Witness  my  mark,  the  1 4th  of  April  1 650. 

This  is  the  mark  made  by  Aernt  Aerntsz 
Otterspoor        X        with  his  own  hand 
in  the  presence  of  Jan  van  Twiller 

Extraordinary  session,  April  5  Anno  1650 

Dirck  Hendricksz  Coojer  is  ordered  for  the  present  to  go  at 
the  first  opportunity  in  the  service  of  the  patroon  to  Katskil,  his 
case  to  be  disposed  of  some  time  hereafter  according  to  his 
conduct. 

[55]   Court  proceedings,  April  28  Anno  1650 

Catalyn  Donckersz  1  is  ordered  to  compound  for  her  offense 
with  the  honorable  director. 

The  12th  of  May  Anno  1650 

After  the  close  of  the  sermon,2  the  director,  in  the  presence  of 
A.  de  Hooges  and  Rutger  Jacobsz,  offered  and  proposed  to 
Jacob  Waelingen  to  let  him  have  the  lease  of  the  farm  of  Teunis 
Cornelisz,  but  he  declined  it.  Also,  at  first,  to  let  him  have  the, 
use  of  the  farm  of  Pieter  Teunisz,  which  he  likewise  declined. 

In  the  afternoon  he  agreed  with  Teunis  Dircksz  about  the  six 
morgens  of  land  in  the  rear  of  the  farm  of  the  said  Teunis 
Dircksz,  cultivated  by  Teunis  Cornelisz,  on  the  following1  terms : 

Teunis  Dircksz  shall  pay  to  Teunis  Cornelisz  for  the  seed 
which  is  at  present  on  the  land  fifty  guilders,-  and  to  the  patroon 
for  this  year's  rent,  one  hundred  guilders.  At  the  next  stubble 


1The  wife  of  Sander   Leendertsz  Glen. 

2  Naer  het  eyndigen  vande  Predicalie.     May   12,   1650,  came  on  a 
Thursday. 


1 1 6  Colony  of 

time,  the  land  shall  revert  to  the  patroon,  to  be  leased  as  con- 
venient. And  Teunis  Dircksz  agrees  to  take  the  land  without 
any  horses,  cattle,  or  other  conditions. 

[55v]  May  19,  1650.    Teunis  Dircksz  cited  to  appear  before 
this  court  a  week  from  to-day,  being  the  26th  of  this  month. 

Copy1 

To  the  Honorable,  Valiant,  Very  Worshipful  Mr  Petro  Stuy- 
vesant,  Director  General  of  New  Netherland,  Curasao, 
etc.,  and  to  his  honor's  associated  Council: 

Whereas  we  understand  from  others  and  especially  are 
informed  in  writing  that  your  honors  are  instructed  and  conse- 
quently intend  to  oppose  and  prevent  the  settlement  of  Catskil, 
which  was  undertaken  and  is  proceeding  by  order  of  the  honor- 
able guardians,  and  thus  come  into  conflict  with  the  latest  order 
of  their  honors  aforesaid,  as  the  accompanying  copy  will  show, 
we  are  compelled  to  remonstrate  to  your  honors,  since  two  con- 
flicting matters  can  not  be  reconciled  unless  one  give  way  and 
your  honors  must  realize  that  it  is  impossible  for  us  not  to  follow 
the  instructions  which  according  to  our  oath  we  are  bound  to 
carry  into  effect  as  far  as  it  is  possible,  that  such  [opposition]  is 
unbecoming  united  fellow  countrymen  and  incompatible  with  the 
bond  of  union  by  which  we  are  all  joined  together  and  that  on 
the  contrary  we  should  help  each  other  in  every  possible  way. 
Our  first  request  and  proposal,  therefore,  is  that  your  honors  will 
be  pleased  to  postpone  the  execution  of  your  plans  and  have 
patience  until  by  the  first  opportunity  we  are  advised  by  our 
lords  and  masters  how  to  govern  ourselves.  Meanwhile,  we 
promise  not  to  transport,  nor  to  allow  to  be  transported  thither, 
any  people,  tools  or  other  necessaries,  until  we  have  further 
advice,  when  we  shall  consider  ourselves  in  duty  bound  to  write 
again. 


1  For  extracts  from  this  remonstrance  see  O'Callaghan,  History  of  New 
Netherland,  2:161. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  117 

Wherewith,  Honorable,  Valiant,  Very  Worshipful  Gentle- 
men, Mr  Peter  Stuyvesant  and  the  Council,  we  commend 
you  to  the  protection  of  Almighty  God  and  send  you  greet- 
ings from  the  director  and  commissioners  of  the  colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck. 

Signed:      B.  V.  SLICHTENHORST 

A:  DE  HoOGES,  Commissioner 
Rensselaerswyck,  June  15  Anno  1650 

[56]  Court  proceedings,  June  23  Anno  1650 

Resolved  that  the  fl.  1 92  which  Claes  Tyssen  honestly  earned 
on  the  Vlackte  shall  be  paid  to  him  by  the  director. 
Evert  Pels,  having  been  summoned,  did  not  appear. 

Court  proceedings,  June  30  Anno  1 650 

The  ordinance  of  the  Honorable  Stuyvesant  and  the  Council 
of  New  Netherland,  in  regard  to  the  regulation  and  change  in 
value  of  the  wampum,  dated  May  30,  1650,1  is  approved  and 
ratified  by  us  in  its  entirity,  so  that  every  one  is  to  govern  himself 
accordingly. 

The  honorable  director,  commissioners  and  councilors  of  this 
colony,  having  weighed  and  considered  the  contents  of  the  ordi- 
nance concerning  the  depreciation  of  the  wampum,  now  posted 
in  Fort  Orange,  have  for  pregnant  reasons  ratified  and  hereby  do 
ratify  the  same,  so  that  every  inhabitant  of  this  colony  is  to 
govern  himself  accordingly  and  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of 
the  aforesaid  ordinance,  under  the  penalty  provided,  which  shall 
be  enforced  by  this  honorable  court.  Let  every  one  guard  him- 
self against  damage. 

Done  in  the  colony,  the  30th  day  of  June  A°.  R.  5,  1650.2 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 


1  Printed  in  Lates  and  Ordinances  of  Ne~a>  Netherland,  p.    115—16. 

2  Anno  Regni  5,  meaning  the  fifth  year  of  the  reign  of  Johannes  van 
Rensselaer,  the  second  patroon.     According  to  O'Callaghan,  History  of 
New  Netherland,    1:345;   2:68,   and   Brodhead,  History   of  the  Slate 


1 1 8  Colony  of  Rensselaer  sTvycfc 

[56v]  Jan  van  Twiller,  Gerrit  Vasterick,  A.  de  Hooges, 
Ruth  Jacobsz  and  Goossen  Gerritsz  having  examined  the  seawan 
of  the  patroon  which  was  received  before  the  depreciation  of  the 
seawan,  find  that  the  same  must  be  valued  at  eight  for  one  stiver 
and  as  the  greater  part  of  it  is  strung,  those  who  take  it  in  pay- 
ment shall  receive  according  to  the  custom  and  the  provisions  of 
the  ordinance. 

And  whereas  the  seawan  in  the  treasury  before  the  publica- 
tion, according  to  .the  specified  account  thereof,  amounted  to  the 
sum  of  [blank] ,  it  is  decided  that  the  patroon  shall  stand  the  loss. 

Certified  by  me, 

A:  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

Court  proceedings,  July  13  Anno  1650 

Tomes  Sanders,  smith,  residing  at  or  about  the  Manhatans» 
is  granted  permission  to  move  hither  and  to  settle  here  with  his 
family  in  the  village  (byeerrtvoninge) ,  to  support  himself  by 
means  of  his  usual  trade. 

Whereas  the  director,  commissioners  and  councilors  are 
informed  by  way  of  rumor  that  Cornells  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck 
takes  the  person  of  Jan  Hagemans,  free  trader,  and  his  goods 
into  his  house,  without  advising  any  one  thereof,  contrary  to  the 
instructions  received  by  us,  he  is  hereby  notified  and  ordered  to 
abstain  therefrom  and  to  send  him  away,  under  penalty  of  con- 
fiscation of  the  goods  in  the  possession  of  the  said  Jan  Hagemans. 


of  New  York,  1  :420,  Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer  died  in  1 646,  and  the 
same  year  the  guardians  of  the  young  patroon  rendered  homage  to  the 
States  General  in  the  name  of  their  ward.  According  to  the  above 
date,  this  must  have  taken  place  before  June  30,  1 646.  In  an  entry 
in  the  minutes  of  the  council  of  New  Netherland,  under  date  of  August 
8,  1644  (New  York  Colonial  Mss,  4:199)  reference  is  made  to  "the 
heirs  of  Mr.  Renselaer,  deceased."  This  shows  that,  contrary  to  the 
statements  heretofore  made,  Kiliaen  van  Rensselaer  died,  not  in  1 646, 
but  some  time  prior  to  August  8,  1  644,  possibly  as  early  as  the  fall  of 
1643,  when  his  communications  to  the  colony  ceased.  Johannes  van 
Rensselaer  was  not  definitely  invested  with  the  high,  middle  and  low 
jurisdiction  of  the  colony  until  after  April  7,  1650.  See  Resolution 
of  the  States  General  of  that  date  in  Doc.  rel.  to  Col  Hist.  N.  Y.,  I  :383. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  119 

.  :\i 
[57] l  Extraordinary  session,  July   15,   1650 

Jan  van  Hoesen  complains  of  injury  done  to  him  by  Willem 
Jeuriaensz,  as  follows: 

That  some  days  ago  he  called  the  wife  of  Jan  van  Hoesen  a 
whore,  with  the  result  that  from  excitement  she  had  a  mis- 
carriage; also,  that  yesterday,  being  the  14th  of  this  month,  he 
repeated  the  insult,  while  the  wife  lay  sick  in  bed. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:]  Annetje,  Constapel's  wife,2  says 
that  she  heard  Capiteyn  3  call  her  a  whore  when  she  lay  already 
sick  in  bed. 

He,  Willem  Jeuriaensz,  says  that  the  neighbors  told  him  that 
he  said  it. 

He  declares  that  Willem  Jeuriaensz  told  him  that  a  while  ago, 
to  wit,  on  March  31,1 650,  when  he  was  last  summoned  and 
appeared  before  the  court  to  pay  for  two  cows  which  he  had 
received,  he,  Willem  Jeuriaensz,  had  a  knife  concealed  in  his 
sleeve,  adding  further  that  if  the  director  had  attempted  to  do 
anything  to  him,  Willem,  about  the  said  payment,  or  any  one 
had  attacked  him,  he  would  have  received  a  rip  from  him. 

Jan  van  Hoesen  declares  that  Willem  Jeuriaensz  has  often 
and  repeatedly  said  to  him  and  accused  him  of  it  that  the  contract 
between  them  was  fraudulently  drawn,  said  contract  being  signed 
by  Willem  Jeuriaensz  and  Jan  Fransz  van  Hoesen  and  acknowl-? 
edged  before  B.  v.  Slichtenhorst,  A:  de  Hooges,  J:  van  Twiller, 
Goossen  Gerritsz  and  Cornelis  Teunisz. 

As  Johan  van  Twiller  and  Gerrit  Vasterick  are  absent,  the 
[case]  aforesaid  is  adjourned  until  the  17th  of  July  aforesaid  at 
the  usual  time. 


*At  the  top  of  the  page  is  written:  nota  vant  bannlssement,  memor- 
andum of  the  banishment. 

2  Annetje   Juriaens,   the  wife  of   Andries   Herbertsz,   alias   Constapel. 
She  was  a  sister  of  Volckje  Juriaens,  the  wife  of  Jan  van  Hoesen. 

3  Willem  Jeuriaensz,  alias  Capiteyn. 


120  Colony  of 


[57v]   Extraordinary  session,  July  17  Anno  1650 

The  honorable  director  requests  the  corporal  apprehension  of 
Willem  Jeuriaensz  on  account  of  the  aforesaid  crimes. 

Annetje,  the  wife  of  Constapel,  says  that  Volckje,  when  she 
had  the  miscarriage,  said  that  it  was  caused  by  excitement,  due 
to  the  abusive  language  of  Willem  Jeuriaensz. 

Aertje  Cornelis,  the  wife  pf  Thomas  Sandersz,  smith,  declares 
as  above. 

Willem  Jeuriaensz,  in  contempt  of  the  honorable  court,  says 
that  he  is  a  person  of  21  years,  whereas  it  is  known  to  us  that  he 
is  at  least  70  years  of  age. 

The  commissioners  and  councilors  consent  to  the  corporal 
apprehension  of  Willem  Jeuriaensz. 

Delivered  to  Commissioner  Johan  van  Twiller,  for  the  honor- 
able guardians  of  the  patroon,  three  court  records  corresponding 
with  [and  extending]  up  to  this  [record].1 

Pursuant  to  the  resolution  of  the  commissioners  and  councilors 
and  with  the  consent  of  the  honorable  director  this  court  record 
is  turned  over  to  me,  Antonio  de  Hooges,  secretary  of  this  place, 
on  this  date,  the  1  7th  of  July  Anno  1  650.2 

[58]  Extraordinary  session,  July  18  Anno  1650 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Willem  Jeuriaensz. 

Whereas  Willem  Jeuriaensz  on  account  of  his  rascality  and 

misdeeds  was  on  two  separate  occasions  sentenced  to  leave  the 

colony  and  banished  forever,  to  wit,  in  the  year  1  644  and  again 


1  drie  Cerechls  Rollen  respondeerende  tot  op  deese;  apparently  referr- 
ing to  the  court  records  that  were  kept  in  the  colony  prior  to  the  adminis- 
tration of  Bant  van  Slichtenhorst,  which  are  missing. 

2  This  entry,  taken  in  connection  with  the  complaint  made  by  de  Hooges 
against   Van   Slichtenhorst   on   April    4,    1 650,    seems   to   indicate   that 
Van  Slichtenhorst  had  refused  to  let  de  Hooges  have  the  custody  of 
the  record,  but  that  at  the  latter's  request  the  court  directed  that  it  be 
turned   over   to  him.      The   minutes,    both   before    and   after   this   date, 
are  in  the  handwriting  of  de  Hooges,  so  that  he  must  have  had  access 
to  the  record  for  the  purpose  of  making  his  entries. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  121 

in  September  of  the  year  1647,  which  last  time  the  delinquent 
petitioned  the  court  to  grant  him  a  respite,  pledging  himself  in 
said  petition  not  to  molest  any  one,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  in 
or  out  of  court,  under  penalty  of  forfeiting  his  property  then  in 
his  possession  or  thereafter  to  be  acquired  and  of  being  imme- 
diately sent  out  of  the  colony,  as  apears  by  the  said  petition, 
upon  which  petition  a  respite  was  granted  in  an  apostil  entered 
on  the  same,  and  whereas  he  has  since  pursued  and  more  particu- 
larly now  does  pursue  his  former  ways; 

And  whereas,  secondly,  he  has  unjustly  accused  many  honest 
persons  of  having  fraudulently  drawn  up  the  contract  between 
him  and  Jan  van  Hoesen,  and  among  others  has  impugned  the 
honor  of  some  members  of  this  honorable  court; 

And  whereas,  thirdly,  he  has  boasted  that  when  he  was  sum- 
moned by  the  court  to  pay  for  the  purchase  of  two  cows  he  had 
a  knife  concealed  in  his  sleeve  and  that  if  the  plaintiff  had  laid 
hands  upon  him  he  would  have  cut  him  with  it; 

And  whereas,  furthermore,  when  he  was  summoned  to  appear 
to  answer  for  these  and  other  crimes,  [58v]  he  did  openly  insult 
the  honorable  court  of  this  place,  saying  to  several  people:  "  I 
invite  you  to  the  funeral;  I  am  summoned  before  the  court  and 
must  hang;"  and  further  committed  other  rascalities; 

Therefore,  all  this  being  taken  into  consideration,  the  plaintiff 
demands  that  the  former  sentences  shall  be  put  into  effect  and 
that  in  addition  the  delinquent  shall  be  publicly  exhibited  on  the 
scaffold  for  his  crimes,  to  wit,  that  he  shall  be  whipped  and 
branded  and  that  thereafter  he  shall  be  forever  banished  from 
the  colony.  Furthermore,  that  all  his  property  and  effects  shall 
be  confiscated  and  forfeited  to  the  benefit  of  the  honorable  plain- 
tiff. 

[59]1  The  honorable  commissioners  and  the  council  of  the 
colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  having  read  the  demand  of  the 


1  Another  translation  of  the  sentence  is  printed  in  O'Callaghan,  History 
of  New  Netherlands  1  :437-38. 


122  Colony  of 

honorable  director  as  plaintiff  against  Willem  Jeuriaensz,  baker, 
and  having  duly  weighed  and  considered  all  that  is  therein  set 
forth  and  to  be  considered,  and  finding: 

That  on  account  of  his  misdeeds  he  was  before,  on  the  4th  of 
February  1644,  banished  from  the  colony  by  the  honorable 
court ; 

That  afterwards,  because  he  had  attempted  to  stab  the  person 
of  Antony  de  Hooges,  t!hen  the  patroon's  corm;s,  with  a  knife  on 
the  public  road  and  thereby,  as  much  as  in  him  lay,  had  com- 
mitted a  murder,  he  was  again  banished  from  the  colony  on  the 
28th  of  August  1 647,  but  on  his  petition  granted  a  respite,  under 
penalty  of  forfeiture  of  all  property  and  banishment  in  case  he 
should  molest  any  one,  whether  in  or  out  of  court,  or  cause  any 
annoyance  deserving  punishment; 

And  finding  furthermore  all  that  is  set  forth  in  the  honorable 
plaintiff's  conclusion,  to  wit: 

That  he,  the  delinquent,  has  so  frightened  and  shocked  a  cer- 
tain woman  that  according  to  her  complaint  she  had  a  mis- 
carriage ; 

Secondly,  that  he  has  unjustly  accused  and  slandered  honest 
people,  among  them  some  members  of  the  honorable  court  of  this 
place,  in  connection  with  the  signing  of  the  agreement  between 
him  [59v]  and  Jan  van  Hoesen,  saying  that  they  had  drawn  it 
up  fraudulently; 

Thirdly,  that,  having  been  called  upon  to  pay  for  the  purchase 
of  two  cows,  he  boasted  on  coming  home  tfhat  he  had  a  knife 
concealed  in  his  sleeve  and  that  if  he  had  been  arrested  on 
account  of  it,  he  would  have  paid  the  director  with  it; 

Furthermore,  having  been  summoned  to  answer  for  these 
enormous  crimes,  he  has  openly  derided  the  honorable  court  here, 
saying  to  several  people :  "  I  invite  you  to  the  funeral ;  I  am 
summoned  before  the  court;  I  must  hang." 

Furthermore,  we  are  assured  by  trustworthy  people  that  he 
said  to  a  certain  woman  who  was  about  to  partake  of  the  Lord's 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  123 

Supper:     "If  it  is  a  piece  of  bread  you  want,  come  to  me,  I  will 
give  it  to  you."    And  other  rascalities. 

So  that  he  is  a  blasphemer,  a  public  nuisance,  a  murderer,  as 
far  as  his  intention  is  concerned,  a  person  who  holds  the  court  and 
justice  in  contempt  and  a  disturber  of  the  common  peace.  The 
honorable  court,  aforesaid,  therefore,  have  sentenced  [60]  and 
adjudged,  as  they  sentence  and  adjudge  hereby,  that  the  former 
sentences  concerning  the  banishment  shall  be  carried  out,  so  that 
he,  Willem  Jeuriaensz  is  hereby  banished  from  the  district  and 
jurisdiction  of  this  colony,  henceforth  and  forever,  with  order  to 
depart  by  the  first  vessel  and  never  to  return,  on  pain  of  corporal 
punishment.  All  cum  expensis. 

Thus  sentenced  and  ratified  in  Collegia,  this  1 8th  day  of  July 
Anno  1650. 

To  my  knowledge, 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 

The  honorable  commissioners  and  councilors  decide  that  Hans 
Vos  shall  be  paid  by  the  director  according  to  his  account. 

The  honorable  Goossen  Gerritsz,  in  accordance  with  the 
previous  promise,  is  by  unanimous  vote  granted  permission  to 
engage  in  the  tapping  business. 

This  date,  skipper  Reynert  Pietersz  from  Bolswaert  was  in 
the  presence  of  A.  de  Hooges  called  upon  .  .  .  [two  lines 
burned  off] . 

[60v]   Court  proceedings,  July  27  Anno   1650 

Resolved  that  Willem  Jeuriaensz  shall  in  irons  be  brought  on 
board  the  yacht  of  Rutger  Jacobsz  and  then  be  unshackled,  Rut- 
ger  Jacobsz  having  promised  to  make  room  for  him  on  his  yacht 
[and  to  take  him]  to  the  Manhatans. 

The  court  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  are  of  opinion 
that  Michiel  Jansz  with  such  an  answer  as  he  made  on  April  4, 
1 650,  has  not  satisfied  the  judgment  of  May  29,  1 649,  and  the 
order  of  November  18  of  the  same  year. 


124  Colony  of 

The  aforesaid  Michiel  Jansz  or  his  sureties  are  therefore  once 
more  peremptorily  ordered,  under  penalty  of  having  judgment 
given  against  them  by  default,  to  file  an  answer  within  two  months 
from  this  date,  and  to  support  it  with  proper  proof,  and  also  to 
sign  the  two  accounts  which  have  been  handed  in. 

The  honorable  director  promises  Gysbert  Cornelisz  *  to  reduce 
his  rent  for  two  years  to  forty  guilders  on  account  of  board  of 
Johan  van  Twiller,  provided  that  Johan  van  Twiller  becomes 
surety  that  he  will  settle  for  it  with  the  patroon. 

[  In  the  margin  is  written :  ]  The  director  protests  that  he  does 
not  promise  Gysbert  to  credit  him  with  two  years'  rent  [from?] 
this  date,  July  28,  Anno  1650;  also,  that  he  demands  proof  of 
the  charges  for  board. 

Jan  Helms  is  to  accept  the  grain  of  Jan  van  Bremen  on  the 
following  conditions: 

He  is  to  receive  the  winter  grain  according  to  appraisal,  in 
connection  with  which  it  is  to  be  noted  that  he,  Jan  Helms,  shall 
be  free  from  paying  tithes. 

And  Jan  van  Bremen  shall  pay  the  rent  out  of  the  winter  grain 
and  the  quantity  credited  to  him  by  appraisal,  the  amount  to  be 
delivered  to  Jan  Helms  to  be  reduced  in  proportion  to  the  rent. 

[Marginal  note:]  This  date,  August  5,  1650,  the  wheat  of 
Jan  van  Bremen  was  appraised  by  Aert  Jacobsz  and  Ryck 
Rutgersz,  lawfully  summoned  for  that  purpose  by  the  director, 
at  five  [hundred  schepels?]. 

[61  ]  Adriaen  Jansz  from  Leyden  is  granted  permission  to  col- 
lect and  receive  his  debts  outstanding  in  the  colony. 

Extraordinary  session,  July  28  Anno  1650 
[Blank  space] 


1  Gysbert  Cornelisz,  the  tavernkeeper. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  125 

Court  proceedings,  August  4  Anno  1650 

Willem  Jeuriaensz  requests  to  be  released  from  confinement 
to  tend  to  his  affairs,  on  condition  that  he  will  comply  with  the 
last  sentence.  Granted. 

Witness  my  hand, 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 

Extract  from  a  certain  document 

The  son-in-law  of  Megapolensis,  who  has  been  a  minister  here 
and  who  was  forbidden  to  preach  by  the  Classis  of  Alcmaer, 
goes  over  with  the  same  ship.  '  In  case  he  should  attempt  to  per- 
form any  church  service  in  the  colony,  we  order  Director  Slich- 
tenhorst  not  to  employ  him  thereto  or  to  tolerate  him  in  the 
colony,  about  which  we  shall  write  him  personally  if  time  will 
permit  it.  And  whereas  we  have  been  requested  by  the  Deputies 
of  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  to  make  this  known  here,  we  hereby 
order  the  director  and  commissioners  of  our  colony  to  carry  out 
our  instructions  in  this  matter. 

The  name  of  the  minister  is  Wilhelm  [Grasmeer]. 

This  order  was  contained  in  a  letter  to  [Gerrit]  Vasterick, 
sent  to  him  by  Wouter  van  Twiller. 

[61v]     Special  meeting,1  August  15  Anno  1650 

We,  the  undersigned,  attest  and  declare  that  we  have  seen  and 
read  a  certain  rough  note  (fyladde)  written  by  Gerrit  Vasterick, 
purporting  to  be  an  extract  from  a  letter  concerning  the  minister, 
Grasmeer,  to  prevent  him  from  preaching.  Which  copy,  being 
neither  collated  with  the  original,  nor  authenticated  or  signed  by 
any  one,  was  unsatisfactory  to  Director  B.  v.  Slichtenhorst,  who 
said  that  one  could  take  no  action  on  such  a  scrap  of  paper. 
Whereupon  the  director,  together  with  de  Hooges  and  Ruth 
Jacobsz,  went  to  the  said  Vasterick's  house,  where  the  director 


1  Buytentydtsche  vcrgaederinge. 


126  Colony  of 

asked  if  it  was  not  possible  to  get  an  authentic  copy?  Said 
Vasterick  answered  that  he  had  given  a  copy.  The  director 
replied  that  it  was  not  authentic  and  was  not  signed.  Where- 
upon Vasterick  made  Jan  van  Twiller  (for  he,  himself,  lay  sick 
in  bed  owing  to  some  accident)  get  the  letter.  Having  the  letter 
in  his  hands,  Vasterick  demanded  his  former  copy,  which  was 
handed  to  him  without  any  suspicion,  the  plan  being  that  de 
Hooges  should  make  an  extract  from  the  letter  for  so  far  as  the 
aforesaid  matter  was  concerned.  But  Vasterick  declined  this 
and  read  some  things  from  the  letter,  which  de  Hooges  took 
down  from  his  mouth.  Having  obtained  this  writing,  we  saw 
that  we  had  been  deceived  by  Vasterick's  trick  in  demanding 
back  his  former  copy,  for  it  in  no  sense  corresponded  therewith. 
This  much  Vasterick  let  us  see,  that  the  letter  was  signed  by 
Wouter  van  Twiller  only  and  addressed  to  Vasterick  alone. 
This  is  a  true  account  of  what  took  place  and  we  offer  if  need 
be  to  confirm  this  on  oath.  Done  in  the  colony  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck,  on  the  date  above  written. 

B.  V.  SLICHTENHORST,  director  of  the  said  colony 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  commissioner  and  secretary  of  the  said  colony 

RUTGER  JACOBSZ 

[62]  Hereupon  their  honors  aforesaid  and  the  other  members 
of  the  court  have  resolved  and  decided  as  follows : 

Whereas  Vasterick,  according  to  the  foregoing  attestation,  is 
found  guilty  of  fraudulency  in  writing,  so  that  one  does  not  know 
which  copy  is  correct,  or  whether  either  of  the  two  is  to  be 
accepted,  as  neither  is  properly  copied,  or  compared  (for  one  can 
read  to  another  anything  one  pleases),  much  less  authenticated; 

And  whereas,  secondly,  it  is  notorious  that  the  disease  which 
Vasterick  has  at  present  is  of  such  a  nature  that  he  ought  not  to 
carry  it  from  a  whorehouse  into  a  court  of  justice,  this  being  a 
place  for  which  such  persons  are  unfit ; 

Therefore,  their  honors  aforesaid,  having  noticed  this,  have 
firmly  resolved  not  to  allow  him  to  sit  on  the  bench  until  he  has 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  127 

purged  and  cleared  himself  of  the  aforesaid  charges  and  assured 
and  convinced  us  of  the  contrary. 

By  order  of  their  honors  aforesaid, 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 

[62v]    Special  meeting,  August  20  Anno  1650 

Whereas  the  case  of  Claes  Gerritsz  was  to  come  up  this  day, 
we  have  decided  and  thought  it  advisable  to  leave  the  differences 
between  the  honorable  director  and  him  to  the  decision  and  award 
of  two  impartial  men  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpose,  provided 
that  the  wages  which  are  still  due  him,  to  wit,  those  which  he 
earned  in  the  employ  of  Brant  Peelen,  deceased,  and  Broer  Cor- 
nelis,  and  on  the  Vlackte,  shall  remain  as  a  pledge  or  security  for 
the  award  to  be  rendered  by  the  aforementioned  persons. 

Meeting  of  the  inhabitants  regarding  the  rumors  of  war 
concerning  the  Maquas,  held  on  the  21st  of  September 
1650 

Information,  as  to  what  took  place  on  the  2 1  st  of  September 
1650:  v 

Rem  Jansz,  residing  in  Fort  Orange,  declares  that  on  the  20th 
of  September  1650,  it  happened  that  a  certain  Tapaen  savage, 
at  the  house  of  Arent  Andriesz,  unasked  and  unexpectedly  said 
to  him :  '  You  Dutchmen  have  now  been  selling  guns  long 
enough  to  the  Maquas,  for  they  came  to  us  last  summer  and  made 
presents  in  order  that  we  should  help  them  to  kill  you  when  the 
ice  was  on  the  water.  They  also  went  to  the  savages  to  the  south 
and  offered  them  a  large  nootas  of  seawan,  whereupon  they 
promised  to  lend  them  the  helping  hand." 

Jacob  Jansz  Stol  declares  that  the  savage  [63]  said  the  same 
thing  to  him. 

Albert  Andriesz  declares  likewise  and  they  say  that  when 
they  asked  him  earnestly  whether  it  was  true,  he  said:  "  Come 


128  Colony  of  jRensse/aersnn?c£ 


and  take  me  and  bind  me  fast  and  if  it  does  not  happen  within 

the  aforesaid  time,  then  cut  off  my  head." 

That  this  happened  as  above  stated  they  declare  here 
before  the  court  in  the  presence  of  several  inhabitants. 

Witness  my  hand, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 
September  8,  1 650. 

Whereas  the  need  teaches  us  to  adopt  measures,  we  have 
granted  permission  to  have  the  patroon's  cannon,  consisting  of 
three  pieces,  to  wit,  a  six-pounder,  a  five  pounder  and  a  three- 
pounder,  used  until  further  order  in  Fort  Orange.  But  in  order 
that  the  patroon  may  not  be  deprived  of  his  property,  the  under- 
signed persons  acknowledge  that  they  have  borrowed  the  afore- 
said pieces  on  condition  that  the  patroon  or  his  agent  may  have 
them  back  whenever  he  needs  them  or  it  may  suit  his  pleasure. 

JAN  LABATIE 

This  is  the  mark  X  of  PlETER  JACOBSZ, 
set  with  his  own  hand 

[63v]   September  23  Anno  1650 

The  insecurity  of  our  lives  and  property  oppresses  us  contin- 
ually, living  as  we  do  under  the  unrestrained  domination  of  in- 
human people  and  cruel  heathen.  And  while,  indeed,  we  had 
some  intimation  of  this  last  year,  it  shows  itself  particularly  at 
present  through  evident  indications  and  plausible  predictions  and 
earnest  warnings  which  are  communicated  to  us,  not  by  the  afore- 
said parties,  but  by  far  distant  Indians.  Which  being  the  case, 
although  some  think  it  advisable  to  have  recourse  to  arms  and 
resistance,  and  to  exchange  our  weak  position  for  that  of  their 
superior  strength,  their  honors,  the  directors,  commissioners  and 
councilors,  realizing  the  need,  have  resolved  and  determined,  for 


1soo  snijt  mi]  de  hah  af.     Cf.  O'Callaghan,  History  of  New  Neiher- 
land,  2:162. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  129 

the  welfare  of  the  colony  of  our  lord  patroon,  the  preservation  of 
the  commonwealth  and  the  protection  of  our  wives  and  children, 
to  commission  and  empower  Monsr-  Arent  van  Curler,  Gerrit 
Wencom,  Cornells  Teunisz  van  Breuckelen,  Thomas  Chamber 
and  Volckert  Hansz,  being  requested  thereto,  to  repair  with  a 
present  to  the  Maquas  country,  to  renew  the  former  alliance  and 
bond  of  friendship ;  which  they  hereby  willingly  undertake  to  do. 
Done  in  the  colony,  on  the  date  above  written. 

Quod  attestor, 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 1 

[64]  The  same  date,  we  summoned  Jan  Labatie,  inhabitant  of 
Fort  Orange,  to  come  to  the  house  of  the  director  and  requested 
him,  as  he  is  reasonably  experienced  in  the  use  of  the  Maquas 
language,  to  consent  to  be  likewise  employed  as  an  ambassador 
to  the  Maquas  country,  whereupon  he  replied  that  he  would  not 
do  that  for  anything  in  the  world.  He  was  asked  again  why,  and 
whether  it  was  not  better  to  embrace  peace  than  to  begin  a  war  in 
which  we  could  not  possibly  survive?  Labatie  answered  that  it 
mattered  little  to  those  in  the  fort  how  it  went,  whether  it  was  war 
or  peace.2  Whereupon  he  left. 

[64v]  Special  meeting  about  the  welfare  of  the  colony  in  con- 
nection with  the  rumors  of  war  with  the  Maquas, 
September  27  Anno  1 650 

Before  the  meeting  proceeded  to  business,  the  following  took 
place : 

It  has  happened  that  the  abuses  of  which  public  notice  was 
given  last  Sunday  in  accordance  with  the  ordinance  were  brought 
to  our  attention  by  the  inhabitants  here  themselves.  But  as  the 
work  once  commenced  ought  to  attain  its  final  aim  and  object,  it 
has  occurred  to  us  that  it  is  very  necessary  that  the  running  into 


1  Another   translation    of   this    resolution    is    in    O'Callaghan,    History 
of  New  Netherlands  2 : 1  62-63. 

2  In  the  margin  is  written:  "  Nota  bene." 


130  Colony  of 

the  woods,  the  delivering  of  notes  and  the  sending  of  brokers  (a 
source  of  much  mischief,  quarreling  and  discord)  be  stopped. 
And  as  this  can  not  be  done  properly  and  decently  without  the 
consent  of  the  inhabitants  of  Fort  Orange,  they  have  therefore, 
in  confirmation  of  their  good  intention  and  inclination,  for  so  far 
as  they  are  concerned,  signed  these  with  their  own  hands. 

[The  remainder  of  the  page  is  blank.] 

[65]    Extraordinary  session,  September  30  Anno  1650 

On  the  above  date,  Jacob  Waelingen  was  offered  and  tendered 
by  the  court  the  half  of  Casteels  island,  called  Welys  Burch,1 
heretofore  used  by  Adriaen  vander  Donck,  which  offer  Jacob 
Waelingen  has  declined  and  refused  to  accept. 

Extraordinary  session,  primo  October  Anno  1 650 

Jacob  Waelingen,  after  previous  delay,  insisting  urgently  that 
he  be  permitted  to  transport  himself  with  his  wife  and  children  to 
the  Manhatans  to  seek  their  advantage  there,  as  they  until  now 
have  not  well  been  able  to  support  themselves  here,  and  it  being 
evident  that  they  can  not  be  detained  against  their  will,  we  have 
thought  it  to  the  best  interest  of  the  patroon  to  release  him  from 
all  claims  and  demands  and  consequently  have  granted  them  per- 
mission to  leave  the  colony  and  to  seek  their  advantage  wherever 
they  please. 

[65v]  The  2d  of  October,  Anno  1650,  in  the  afternoon,  the 
ambassadors  left.  The  director  and  Antony  de  Hooges  at  that 
time  called  them  aside  and  urged  them  not  to  attempt  or  to  do 
anything  but  what  would  tend  to  the  benefit  and  welfare  of  the 
patroon  and  his  colony,  the  peace  of  the  inhabitants  and  the  pro- 
motion of  the  common  weal,  which  by  handshake  they  promised 
to  do. 


1  There  were  two  farms  on  Castle  island,  one  called  Rensselaers  Burg, 
and  the  other  Welys  Burg.  See  "  Map  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck, 
about  1632,"  in  Van  Remselaer  Bonier  Mss. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  131 

After  delivery  of  the  letter  from  the  honorable  gentlemen  our 
superiors,  the  lord  patroon  Johan  van  Rensselaer  and  the 
co-directors  Samuel  Bloemaert  and  Johannes  de  Laet,  this 
[record]  was  begun  anew.  The  letter  was  received  November 

19,  1650. 

November  24,  1650 

Jan  Verbeeck,  plaintiff,  against  Jan  Dircksz,  Englishman,1 
defendant. 

It  is  adjudged  that  the  defendant  shall  pay  Jan  Verbeeck  the 
balance  of  his  debt  cash. 

The  director,  plaintiff, 

against 

Christoffel  Davits   | 

Jacob  Lambertsz    !- Default  [for  failing  to  appear  in]  court 
Abraham  Stevens  I 

[66]  Abraham  Stevensz  is  ordered  to  produce  witnesses  by 
December  8,  1650,  that  he  did  not  draw  a  knife  on  Jan 
Carstensz. 

Extraordinary  session,  November  28  Anno  1650 

The  honorable  director  and  commissioners  [of  the  colony]  and 
the  commissary  of  Fort  Orange,  Charles  van  Bruggen,  having 
under  pressure  granted  permission  to  a  certain  savage  named 
den  U\)¥  to  erect  a  small  house  to  the  north  of  the  aforesaid  fort, 
which  tended  to  become  a  great  nuisance  to  the  colony  as  well  as 
to  the  fort,  Monsr-  Labatie,  to  do  away  with  [the  source  of] 
former  troubles,  has  this  day  bought  said  little  house  of  him 
and  paid  for  it,  to  which  consent  is  given  by  us  on  condition  that 
a  proper  recognition  to  the  honorable  patroon  and  the  co-directors 


1  According  to   Van  Rensselaer  Bowier  Mss,  p.   818,  he  came  from 
Amersfoort.     See  also  note  on  Jan  Dircksz  van  Bremen,  under  date  of 
April  30,   1648,  in  this  volume. 

2  The  Owl. 


132  Colony  of  RensselaerstvycJt 

of  this  colony  be  paid  to  the  director.     In  witness  whereof  this  is 
subscribed  as  follows: 

The  mark  X  of  den  Lfy/,  named  STICHTIGERI,  made  with 
his  own  hand 

B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST 
A.  DE  HOOGES 
ADRIAEN  JANSZ,"  witness 

[66v]   December  13  Anno  1650 

Steven  Jansz,  carpenter,  upon  examination  by  the  director, 
declares  that  on  the  12th  of  this  month  a  certain  company  of 
persons  came  to  his  house  to  drink,  having  played  golf  for  brandy, 
which  they  drank  there.  And  that  one  Teunis  Jansz,  sailmaker, 
accused  the  wife  of  said  Steven  Jansz  of  having  erased  two 
strokes  at  the  same  time,  although  she  had  tapped  two  glasses  for 
it.  Whereupon  one  Philip,  the  gunstock  maker,2  also  took  part 
in  the  dispute,  wanting  to  have  a  voice  in  it.3  So  that  Gysbert 
Cornelisz,  the  tavernkeeper,  got  into  a  dispute  with  said  Philip, 
saying  among  other  things  that  they  should  not  make  such  charges 
without  being  able  to  prove  them,  with  the  result  that  he,  Gys- 
bert, received  a  wound  in  his  left  breast,  but  does  not  know  how 
it  happened  or  who  did  it,  as  three  or  four  persons  were  wrestling 
together. 

[67]  On  the  date  aforesaid  the  honorable  director  attached 
the  money  in  the  hands  of  Jeuriaen  Bestval  which  is  due  to 
Jochem  Kettelheym,  on  account  of  a  claim  which  the  director 


1  Probably   Adriaen    Jansz   van    Ilpendam,    then   a    schoolmaster   and 
afterwards  a  notary  public.     See  p.    [96] . 

2  Philip  de  Lademaecfyer.     On  page   [7Qv]  he  is  referred  to  as  Philip 
Pietersz  Laedemaeclfer,  whicK  would  seem  to  identify  him  with  Philip 
Pietersz  Schuyler. 

s  A  marginal  note,  to  be  inserted  at  this  point,  reads  as  follows :  Which 
made  the  wife  of  Steven  Jansz  very  angry,  whereupon  Philip  said: 
"Have  your  husband  come!  "  So  that  Steven  Jansz,  after  some 
words,  struck  said  Philip  with  his  fist  on  the  forehead,  whereupon  they 
clinched. 


Court  Minutes,  /  648-1 652  133 

has  against  said  Jochem,  for  which  Jochem  is  summoned  to 
appear  on  Thursday  after  New  Year.  [Note  in  the  margin:] 
1  st  Default. 

December  20  Anno  1650 

Jacob  Adriaensz  and  Claes  Andriesz  being  categorically 
questioned  by  the  director  in  regard  to  the  fight  which  recently 
took  place  at  the  house  of  Steven  Jansz,  carpenter,  answer  as 
follows : 

Claes  Andriesz  says  that  after  Steven  Jansz  and  Philip,  the 
gunstock  maker,  had  struck  each  other  with  their  fists,  Philip, 
going  out  of  the  door,  challenged  Gysbert,  whereupon  those  who 
were  inside  held  Gysbert  fast,  so  that  Philip  came  back  into  the 
house  and  got  into  a  quarrel  with  Gysbert. 

This,  Jacob  says  also.  And  that  in  this  turmoil  Gysbert  was 
wounded,  that  is  to  say,  Philip  knocked  Gysbert  down  and  when 
Gysbert  got  up  again,  he  was  wounded. 

[67v]  The  aforesaid  deponents  declare  that  otherwise  there 
was  no  trouble  or  dispute,  except  first  between  Steven  Jansz 
and  Philip  and  then  between  Philip  and  Gysbert. 

Which,  by  handshake  and  true  words, 
instead  of  an  oath,  they  have  declared 
to  the  director  to  have  thus  taken  place. 

The  27th  day  of  December  Anno  1650 

The  honorable  director  has  this  day  arrested  Philip,  the  gun- 
stock  maker,  [to  remain  within  the  limits  of]  the  colony  under 
penalty  of  three  hundred  guilders,  and  appointed  a  week  from 
next  Thursday  as  the  day  on  which  he  is  to  appear  in  court. 

The  same  day,  Philip  has  in  the  presence  of  Jacob  Jansz  Stol 
requested  permission  to  go  outside  the  [said  limits  of  the  ]  arrest 
into  the  fort,  to  which  consent  is  given  on  condition  that  he 
promise  to  appear  in  person  on  the  appointed  day  and  to  give 
security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment  and  the  costs,  [68] 
which  being  promised  by  him,  permission  is  granted  said  Philip. 


134  Colony  of 

On  the  date  aforesaid  the  honorable  director  has  in  like  man- 
ner once  more  arrested  Jacob  Jansz  Stol  in  the  colony,  in  the 
first  place  to  fulfil  the  contract  between  the  late  patroon  and  his 
predecessor,  Hendrick  Albertsz,  deceased,  and  furthermore  to 
answer  for  all  his  crimes  committed  to  this  day,  and  also 
appointed  the  5th  of  January  Anno  1650  as  the  day  on  which 
he  is  to  appear  in  court,  but  notwithstanding  the  arrest  he  has 
without  giving  bail  gone  outside  the  jurisdiction  of  the  colony 
into  the  fort,  in  contempt  of  the  liberties *  obtained. 

Aert  Jacobsz  was  summoned  on  December  14,  1650,  to 
appear  on  January  5,  Anno  1651 ,  on  account  of  his  dispute  with 
Jan  Helms. 

Abraham  Stevens  Croaet,  on  December  15th,  summoned  for 
the  second  time  to  appear  on  the  above  court  day. 

Christoffel  Davits  summoned  for  the  second  time  to  appear  on 
the  above  court  day. 

Cornelis  Cornelisz  van  Voorhout  summoned  to  appear  on  the 
above  court  day. 

December  22,  Gysbert  Cornelisz  from  Weesp  is  granted  the 
garden  heretofore  used  by  Carsten  Carstensz  at  one  beaver 
yearly,  on  condition  that  [68v]  whenever  the  honorable  masters 
need  it,  he  will  have  to  give  it  up,  subject  to  reimbursement  for 
his  outlay. 

1  January   1651    Seger  Cornelisz,  Peter,  the  Frenchman,  and 

Jan  Tyssen  summoned  to  appear  on  the  5th  of 
this  month,  at  nine  o'clock. 

2  ditto  Egbert  Sanders's  servant,  Jem;2  Toenis  Cor- 

nelisz.    On  the  3d,  Henrick  Driesz,  Mr  Rut- 
ger  Jacobsz'  servant. 

3  ditto  Jan  Helmsz  summoned  in  writing,  in  the  name 

of  the  patroon,  against  Aert  Jacobsz. 


1  Vryheeden;  meaning  the  liberties  or  privileges,  granted  by  the  charter 
of  Freedoms  and  Exemptions,  of  1 629. 

2  James. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  135 

3  ditto  Jan  Baerentsz,  by  legal  process,  attached  in 

the  hands  of  Jan  Reyersz  and  Ricke[r]t 
Rutgersz  at  Betelem  [Bethlehem],  all  the 
moneys  due  from  them  to  Claes  Andriesz, 
[notifying  them]  again  to  pay,  which  notice 
was  received  by  Jan  Reyersz. 

Sept.  9,  1650          ft    v    Slichtenhorst,    director,    plaintiff,    against 

Attached  and         T         .      T  c>      i       i    r        i 

summoned.          Jac°t>  Jansz  Jbtol,  defendant. 

First  default.  [Plaintiff  demands]  whether  he,  Stol,  is  willing 

to  carry  out  all  the  provisions  of  the  contract  dated 

Jan.  5  1651       june    7>     1642>     Of    nis    predecessor,     Hendrick 

Second 

default.  Albertsz,    deceased,    and     [continued]     after    his 

death,  and  if  so,  to  give  security  for  the  satisfaction 
of  the  judgment.1 

Jacob  Jansz  says  that  he  submits  himself  to  the 
arbitral  judgment  of  impartial  men  and  the  director. 
1 648,  May  30    For  having  struck  Hans  Vos,  when  he 
suspected  no  harm,  on  the  forehead  with  his  fist 
and  in  addition  spoken  evil  of  the  director  afore- 
mentioned. 

For  the  defamation fl.    10:  — 

And   for   the   blow  with   the   fist, 
according  to  the  ordinance  dated 

December?,  1649,  also fl.    10:  - 

All  cum  expenses. 

[69]  ^1648,  June  6,  Jacob  Jansz  fought  against  Andries 
Constapel  with  his  fists,  at  the  house  of  Gysbert 
Cornelisz,  tavernkeeper,  for  which  he  forfeits 
fl.  10:- 

1648,  July  6,  Jacob  Jansz,  on  his  own  authority,  cut 
down  two  logs  (masts),  up  above,  in  the 
patroon's  wood,  and  had  them  hauled  to  the 
strand,  where  they  were  attached,  notwithstand- 
ing which  he  shipped  them  on  the  8th  ditto  out 


1  Stol  succeeded  Harry  Albertsz  as  ferry  master. 


136  Colony  of  Rensselaersrvycfy 

of  this  jurisdiction,  thereby  acting  in  utter  con- 
tempt of  the  court. 

The  honorable  plaintiff,  therefore,  demands 
that  he  be  arbitrarily  punished,  as  an  example  to 
others.  Also,  that  he  pay  the  patroon  for  the 
timber  and  for  violating  the  attachment,  fl.  50, 
according  to  the  ordinance  and  custom  of  the 
Manhatans,  all  cum  expensis. 

1648,  December  27,  Jacob  Jansz  was  fined  for  having 
with  some  other  persons  been  drinking  at  the  house 
of  Gysbert  Cornelisz  during  divine  service. 

1649,  June  2,  Jacob   Jansz,  without  cause,   threw  a 
tankard    at    Hans    Vos,    the    court    messenger, 
smashing  his  face,   so  that  for  two  months  he 
could  not  perform  his  duties,  for  which  according 
to  the  ordinance  of  the  Manhatans  he  has  for- 
feited the  sum  of  fl.  300,  all  cum  expensis. 

[69v]  1649,  August  4,  Jacob  Jansz  again  removed  a  log 
(mast),  for  which  he  forfeits  the  amount  above 
stated. 

1 649,  1  1  ditto,  he  struck  Willem  Jeuriaensz  on  his  back 
with  a  tankard,  at  the  house  of  Gysbert  Cornelisz, 
for  which  he  forfeits  fl.  10. 

And  because  Abraham  Pietersz,  carpenter, 
wanted  to  prevent  it,  he  struck  him  on  the  head, 
for  which  is  due fl.  10: 

1650,  September  29,  he  fought  with  Pieter  Hertgerts 
and  struck  de  Hooges  on  the  left  eye  with  his  fist, 
and  greatly  injured  the  thumb  of  Volckert  Hansz 
in  his  own  house,  all  of  which  took  place  in  the 
presence  of  the  honorable  fiscal,  for  which  he  has 
incurred  the  double  penalty. 

And  for  contempt  of  court,  in  ignoring  the 
attachment  and  summons,  the  same  fine  as  above. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  137 

1650,  December  12,  he  struck  Gysbert  Cornelisz, 
tavernkeeper,  and  Claes  Andriesz  with  a  golf 
club  at  the  house  of  Steven  Jansz,  for  which, 

together,  he  forfeits fl.  20:— 

And  whereas  the  aforesaid  Jacob  Jansz  was 
summoned  and  arrested  in  the  colony  and  in 
violation  thereof  has  gone  outside  trie  limits  of 
the  aforesaid  jurisdiction,  without  giving  bail, 
the  honorable  plaintiff  maintains  that  he  has  for- 
feited the  sum  of  fl.  20  [and  demands]  that  he 
give  security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment 
or  sentence. 

[70]  Court  proceedings,  January  5  Anno  1651 

It  being  taken  into  consideration  that  Monsr.  Arent  van  Curler 
as  far  back  as  the  arrival  of  the  honorable  director  was  nominated 
as  commissioner  (gecommittecrde) ,  but  by  serious  obstacles  has 
until  this  date  been  prevented  from  taking  office,1  he  has  on  this 
highly  pressing  occasion  accepted  the  same  and  consequently 
taken  the  proper  oath  before  the  honorable  director. 

Whereas  the  annual  term  [of  office]  of  Goossen  Gerritsz  has 
expired  and  he  for  some  important  reasons  urgently  requests  to 
be  discharged,  we  have,  recognizing  [the  justice  of]  the  same, 
granted  his  request  and  discharged  him,  thanking  him  hereby  for 
his  faithful  service. 

And  in  his  place  are  nominated  Jan  Verbeeck  and  Pieter 
Hertgers. 

Regarding  the  question  at  issue  between  Aert  Jacobsz  and  Jan 
Helms,  it  is  adjudged  that  each  shall  pay  a  fine  of  seventy-five 
guilders,  cum  expenses. 

[70v]  Philip  Pietersz,  gunstock  maker,  requests  delay  until 
the  next  court  day,  which  is  granted  him  on  condition  that  he  give 
security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment. 


maef  door  mercfyelycfte  impedimenten  tot  data  te  rugge  is  gestelt. 


138  Colony  of  Rensse/aersnxpd? 

Jan  Labatie  offers  himself  as  surety  for  the  judgment. 
Whereas  the  annual  ordinance  concerning  the  shooting  at  night 
mentions  in  general,  but  not  in  particular,  the  shooting  on  New 
Year's  eve; 

And  whereas,  secondly,  the  renewal  of  the  said  ordinances  has 
recently  been  neglected; 

It  is  decided  that  the  New  Year  shooters  shall  for  this  time 
be  excused,  without  prejudice  to  the  director's  action  against 
those  who  fired  during  the  service. 

Decision  rendered  by: 

ARENT  VAN  CURLER 
ANTONY  DE  HOOGES 
RUTGER  JACOBSZ 
GOOSSEN  GERRITSZ 

The  honorable  director  appeals  from  the  above  decision. 

Cornelis  Cornelisz  van  Voorhout  summoned  by  the  director. 
First  default. 

Abraham  Stevens  denies  that  he  drew  his  knife  on  Jan 
Carstensz,  but  admits  that  he  fought  with  him. 

Teunis  Cornelisz  denies  that  he  fired  his  gun  at  New  Year 
during  the  night. 

[71]  [Marginal  note  in  the  handwriting  of  van  Slichten- 
horst:]  9  ditto,  Jochem  Kettelheym  summoned  again  to  appear 
on  the  12th. 

January  10,  1651 

Hans  Vos  complains  that  Dirck  de  Gojer  1  has  threatened  to 
assault  him  at  Catskil  and  that  he  understood  from  said  Dirck 
that  he  had  given  orders  to  Claes  Andriesz  and  Jacob  Lambertsz, 
Go/ers,2  some  time  when  they  saw  him  here  in  the  colony,  to  do 
the  same. 


1  Dirck  Hendricksz,  from  Hilversum,  in  the  Gooi. 

2  The  jsame  as  Coolers,  or  Gooilanders,  meaning  men  from  the  Gooi, 
or  Gooiland,  a  district  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  province  of  North 
Holland,  Netherlands. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  139 

Whereupon  an  injunction  is  served  on  said  Dirck  to  refrain,  on 
pain  of  corporal  punishment,  from  molesting  Hans  Vos  either  by 
word  or  deed. 

And  Jan  Dircksz  van  Bremen  is  authorized  to  serve  the  notice 
on  said  Dirck  in  the  name  of  the  patroon. 

Furthermore,  the  director  is  to  forbid  Claes  Andriesz  and 
Jacob  Lambertsz  [to  molest  Hans  Vos]  under  the  penalty  above 
mentioned. 

[71v]  Court  proceedings,  January  12  Anno  1650 
The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Jochem  Kettelheym, 

defendant. 

Jochem  -1648,  July   12,  Jochem  Kettelheym  and  Thomas 

Chamber  three  several  times  struck  each  other  with 
fists,  so  that  their  noses  and  mouths  bled,  and  that  on 
a  Sunday,  in  sight  of  the  director,  for  which  they  have 
incurred  the  triple  penalty  of  fl.  10  each,  according 
to  the  ordinance  of  May  28,  1 648,  amounting  together 

to fl.  30:- 

December  27,  Jochem  confessed  that  during  divine 
service  he  had  been  sitting  [in  the  tavern],  drinking 
brandy  with  Plodder,1  the  Noorman,2  Capitayn,3  and 
Rem,  the  smith,4  for  which  according  to  the  ordinance 
of  May  28,  1648,  and  that  of  the  Manhatans,  is 
due  fl.  6:- 

Jochem  1650,  July  31,  Jochem  promised  to  pay  for  solder 

Pietersz  5  4  schepels  of  wheat fl.    10:- 

December  13,  the  director  attached,  in  the  hands  of 
Jeuriaen  Bestval,  all  the  moneys  due  from  him  to  said 
Jochem,  in  order  to  secure  payment;  in  the  first  place 
fl.  40,  which  he,  Jochem,  then  owed  to  Nocolaes 


1  Jacob  Jansz  Gardenier,  alias  Flodder. 

2  Poulus,  the  Noorman. 

3  Abraham  Stevensz. 

4  Rem  Jansz. 

5  Apparently  the  same  person   as  Arent   Pietersz,   alias  Solder.      See 
Van  Rensselaer  Bonier  Mss,  p.   814. 


140  Colony  of 

Jochem          Koorn  and  which  were  attached  in  his  hands,  accord- 
submit  m§    to   Koorn's   own   admission,    as   appears   by   de 
evidence        Hooges's  endorsement  on  file.     What  is  more,  Coorn 
that  he*  aid  severa^  times  importuned  the  director,  both  in  his  house 
Koom.          and  on  the  road,  about  this  attachment.  ...    fl.  40:- 
1 65 1 ,  January  9,  summoned  and  must  first  purge 
himself  before  he  can  be  heard. 

[72]  The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against 
Cornelis  Cornelisz  van  Voorhout,  defendant. 

1649,   June   20,    the   defendant   fought   with   the 

Raemaecker  (wheelwright)  with  fists,  in  the  presence 

v  of  Hans  Vos  and  others  at  the  house  of  Gysbert,  the 

tavernkeeper,  for  which  each  has  forfeited  the  sum 

of fl.    10:- 

Drew  his  knife  on  Christoffel  Davits,  for  which  he 

has  forfeited fl.    100:- 

April  1 7,  Jan  van  Bremen  complained  about  the 
defendant  on  account  of  violence  and  blows,  for  which 
is  due  a  double  fine,  first  on  account  of  the  matter  com- 
plained of  and  secondly  because  it  happened  at  night, 

@  fl.   10 fl.  40:- 

November'  7,  he   fought  with  Thomas  Chamber, 

using  his  fists ;  due fl.    10:— 

Admits  that  1650,  September  30,  the  defendant,  wihtout  any 
in  Gysbert's  reason  or  lawful  cause,  struck  Jan  Labatie  in  the  lava- 
house,  tory  of  Gysbert  Cornelisz  with  his  fists,  for  which  he 

must  pay  the  double  fine fl.  20:- 

1651,  January  5.     Kit  Davits  summoned. 

January   10.     Summoned  [again]. 

January  11,  1651 ,  the  director  has  notified  and  summoned  the 
newly  nominated  members  of  the  court,  to  wit,  Pieter  Hertgers 
and  Jan  Verbeeck,  to  take  the  proper  oath  and  on  this  date  in 
their  official  capacity  to  enter  upon  their  duties. 

Baerent  Pietersz,  having  been  summoned  by  the  director  on 
January  11,1 649,  to  show  where  he  each  year  bought  his  wheat, 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  141 

answers  that  he  requests  an  order  from  the  court  that  he  must  do 
so.  To  which  the  director  replies  that  if  he  to-day  brings  in  his 
proof,  he  will  not  have  [his  account?]  reduced. 

[72v]  Cornelis  Cornelisz  Vos,  being  summoned  to  find  out 
who  on  New  Year's  eve  during  the  service  fired  off  guns  in  front 
of  his  door,  answers  that  he  does  not  know.  Being  asked  who 
were  at  Harmen  Bastiaensz's,  he  answers,  seven  or  eight  persons. 

This  day,  Jan  Verbeeck  has  taken  the  proper  oath  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  court  (gerechtspersoon)  and  is  admitted  by  the  court. 

Marten  Harmensz  having  been  granted  a  lot  in  the  village 
(byeemvooninge)  to  build  there,  promises  that  he  will  not  have 
any  intercourse  or  dealings  with  any  private  traders,  namely,  with 
those  of  the  fort. 

Teunis  Jacobsz  and  his  wife,  being  summoned  by  the  director 
about  1  1/8  loot  (5/8  ounce)  of  gold  found  by  them,  declare 
that  they  found  it  behind  the  homestead  (hofste)  of  Gysbert,  the 
tavernkeeper,  and  sold  it  to  Gerrit  Vasterick  for  fl.  18,  without 
knowing  who  lost  it. 

Which  gold  being  examined  by  the  court  here  is  found  to  be 
purified  and  partly  engraved  gold. 

The  director  having  thereupon  submitted  the  question  whether 
it  is  to  be  kept  for  the  benefit  of  the  patroon  and  the  co-directors, 
or  to  be  restored  to  Vasterick; 

It  is  resolved  that  it  shall  be  returned  to  Gerrit  Vasterick. 

[73]  It  is  further  considered  necessary,  as  thus  far  little  atten- 
tion has  been  paid  to  the  maintenance  of  public  roads,  to  the  great 
inconvenience  and  even  danger  of  the  inhabitants  here,  that  some 
bridges  be  built,  to  wit,  one  across  the  first  kill,  in  the  village 
(byeemvooninge) ,  with  railings  and  benches  to  sit  on;  one  across 
the  third  kill;  one  across  the  beaver  kill,  with  railings;  and  a 
wagon  bridge  around  the  rear  (een  rybruch  achterom) .  Also, 
that  a  convenient  staircase  be  built  on  the  outside  of  the  church 
(een  bequaeme  trap  aende  kerck  T»orde  gemaecJft) .' 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Jacob  Lambertsz, 
defendant. 


142  Colony  of 

On  the  9th  of  October  1650,  Jacob  Lambertsz,  being  armed, 
with  a  sword  on  his  side,  dared  by  word  and  deed,  on  the 
Hoogen  Berch,  in  the  highest  manner  to  insult  the  director,  who 
came  there  with  Steven  Jansz,  carpenter,  to  perform  his  duties, 
without  giving  any  reason  or  occasion  thereto  in  the  least.  In 
the  presence  of  Teunis  Dircksz  and  Gysbert  aende  Berch,  he 
wanted  to  compel  the  director,  first,  to  drink  with  him  and  then 
to  fight  a  duel  with  him.  Furthermore,  he  used  such  vile 
language  about  the  court,  his  past  crimes,  and  his  arrest,  that  one 
can  not  well  put  it  down  with  the  pen,  saying  he  would  [73v] 
wipe  his  Gooiland  .  .  .  with  it  and  that  he  had  enough  of 
the  director  and  all  the  gentlemen,  so  that  finally  Teunis  Dircksz 
and  Gysbert  had  to  take  Jacob  away. 

He  has  likewise  insulted  de  Hooges  and  also  Hans  Vos. 

Which  things  in  a  land  of  justice  can  not  go  unpunished,  it 
being  intolerable  that  one  should  thus,  without  any  reason  what- 
ever, rudely  assail  one's  lawful  superiors  and  their  servants  and 
even  threaten  to  do  them  harm,  where  (as  in  the  case  of  the 
delinquent)  the  court  has  shown  such  leniency  in  imposing 
sentence. 

The  honorable  plaintiff,  therefore,  in  the  first  place  requests 
[a  warrant  for  the]  corporal  apprehension  [of  the  defendant]. 

Teunis  Dircksz,  Gysbert  aende  Berch  and  Tys  Evertsz 
declare  that  Jacob  Lambertsz  carried  a  sword  on  his  side  and 
that  on  coming  down  the  hill  he  said  to  the  director :  '  You 
carry  a  sword?  I  do  too.  If  you  are  an  officer,  I  am  one  also." 
That  meanwhile  they  had  together  drawn  out  the  manure  for 
Gysbert  and  that  for  fun  they  had  made  said  Jacob  out  to  be 
the  officer. 

Which  by  handshake  instead  of  an  oath  they 
declare  to  have  thus  taken  place. 

[Here  follow  two  or  three  lines  which  have  become  illegible.] 

[74]  About  midsummer  anno  1649,  the  honorable  general 
being  here,  he  requested  Jan  Baerentsz  to  haul  out  some  logs 
(masts),  which  he  refused,  saying  that  the  horses  and  the  land 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  143 

which  he  had  in  use  belonged  to  the  patroon,  so  that  he  first 
ought  to  have  consent  thereto.  Whereupon  the  honorable 
general  came  to  the  director  and  after  relating  the  aforesaid  con- 
versation requested  that  permission  might  be  given,  whereupon 
consent  was  given  by  the  director. 

Also,  Jan  Labatie,  having  been  written  to  by  the  honorable 
general  to  send  him  a  certain  negro  residing  at  the  house  of  Broer 
Cornelis,  he  came  to  the  director's  house  to  request  in  the  first 
place  permission  to  apprehend  the  aforesaid  negro  and  in  the 
second  place  that  the  director  would  assist  him,  Labatie,  in 
making  the  arrest,  whereupon  the  director  gave  said  Labatie 
permission  and  lent  him  the  helping  hand  in  making  the  arrest. 

[74v]  Steven  Jansz,  carpenter,  being  asked  by  the  director 
whether  at  any  time  he  received  any  beer  from  said  director  to 
retail  it; 

Secondly,  whether  he  ever  asked  and  received  permission  from 
the  director  to  tap; 

Answers,  that  he  never  received  any  beer  from  the  director 
and  he  tapped  without  previous  consent. 

Steven    Jansz    has    declared    this    by 
handshake,  with   true  words,   instead 
of  an  oath,  to  be  as  stated. 
This  1 8th  day  of  January  Anno  1 65 1 . 

[  75  ]  Court  proceedings  January  1 9  Anno  1 65 1 

This  day  Pieter  Hartgerts  has  taken  the  oath  of  member  of  the 
court  (Gerechts  persoon)  before  the  director  and  is  admitted  as 
such. 

Upon  the  request  of  Andries  de  Vos  what  the  director  has  to 
say  against  his  brother-in-law,  Baerent  Pietersz,  the  director 
answers  that  he  sent  93  1  /2  schepels  of  wheat  to  the  mill  and 
that  he  got  back  but  74  schepels. 

The  director  says  that  he  deserves  more  credence  than  a  thief. 
Whereupon  Andries  de  Vos  says :  "  You  may  be  that  your- 
self." 


144  Colony  of 

Andries  de  Vos  says  with  reference  to  Ruth  Jacobsz  and  Jan 
Verbeeck  .  .  .  [the  remainder  of  the  page  is  blank]. 

[75v]   Extraordinary  session,  January  20  Anno  1651 

November  25,  1648,  Thomas  Chamber  reported  that  one  of 
his  cows  had  been  shot  dead  in  the  wood  by  the  savages. 

Also,  November  14,  1649,  Thomas  aforesaid  again  reported 
that  a  mare  was  shot  dead  by  the  savages. 

Proof  hereof  follows,  according  to  the  contract: 
Jan  Andriesz  from  Dublin  and  Thomas  Heggens  declare 
before  the  court  that  they  found  the  cow  that  was  killed  in  the 
woods,  the  horns  being  cut  off,  the  bowels  removed,  the  fat  cut 
away,  a  piece  cut  out  of  the  belly  and  the  rest  being  left  lying 
in  the  woods,  about  which  complaint  was  made  at  the  time  by 
Thomas  Chamber  to  the  director. 

They  declare  this  by   handshake,   with   true 
words  instead  of  an  oath,  to  be  a  fact. 

Jan  Andriesz  from  Dublin  and  Poulus  Jansz  from  Gorcum 
declare  that  they  found  the  aforesaid  mare  lying  dead  in  the 
woods,  having  been  shot  through  the  soft  part  of  the  belly. 

This  the  witnesses  declare  in  the  manner  as 
above,  in  the  presence  of, 

The  honorable  director 
Arent  van  Curler 
and  myself, 

A.  DE  [HOOGES,  Secretary] 

[Note  in  the  margin,  at  the  bottom  of  the  page,  illegible.] 
[76]  Whereas  some  dispute  has  arisen  between  Director 
Brant  van  Slichtenhorst  and  Jacob  Jansz  Stol  about  the  contract 
made  between  the  late  patroon  and  Hendrick  Albertsz,  deceased, 
concerning  the  beaver  trade  mentioned  in  said  contract,  and  find- 
ing that  he,  Jacob  Jansz,  can  have  no  knowledge  of  the  aforesaid 
trade  of  his  predecessor ; 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  145 

Secondly,  that  it  is  commonly  known  that  he,  Hendrick 
Albertsz,  deceased,  made  it  his  special  business  to  work  and  not 
to  trade; 

And  that,  owing  to  the  aforesaid  obscurity,  no  solution  can 
be  found  except  by  submitting  the  question  to  the  decision  of 
impajrtial  men,  the  following  persons  have  been  chosen  thereto  by 
both  sides,  to  wit:  Monsr.  Arent  van  Curler,  Antony  de  Hooges, 
Mr  Abraham  Staas  and  Evert  Pels;  who,  after  careful  con- 
sideration of  everything,  have  decided  that  for  the  aforesaid  trade 
until  the  death  of  the  aforesaid  predecesor,  including  the  trade  of 
the  said  Jacob  Jansz  for  the  period  of  about  eight  months  in  the 
year  1648,  there  is  due  fl.  36:—  wherewith  all  claims  and 
demands  on  account  of  the  aforesaid  contract  shall  be  settled  and 
released. 

Thus  signed  by  us,  the  aforementioned  arbitrators,  this  20th 
day  of  January  Anno  1 65 1 . 

ANTONY  DE  HOOGES 
ARENT  VAN  CURLER 
ABRAM  STAAS 
EVERT  PELS 

[76v]    Court  proceedings,  January  26  Anno  1651 

It  is  decided  that  Thomas  Chamber  by  virtue  of  his  contract 
shall  have  the  right  to  use  the  pasturage  specified  therein  for  the 
grazing  of  his  own  cattle,  without  charge. 

As,  also  in  accordance  with  the  contract,  he  proved  on 
January  20,  1 65 1 ,  that  the  savages  killed  a  horse  and  a  cow,  he 
is  by  virtue  thereof  entitled  to  have  them  replaced  by  others  with- 
out compensation. 

Court  proceedings,  February  2  Anno  1 65 1 

Teunis          T^    honorable    director,    plaintiff,    against    Teunis 
fc™  s      Dircksz  and  Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck,  in  their 
default,     capacity    as    administrators    of    the   estate    of    the   late 
Cornelis  Maesz,  defendants. 


146  Colony  of  Rensselaerswycfc 

The  same,  against  Teunis  Dircksz  in  particular,  about 
insults  offered  to  the  honorable  director. 

[77]  Whereas  a  question  has  arisen  between  the 
honorable  director,  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst,  and  Baerent 
Pietersz,  the  cases  of  both  parties  are  dismissed,  without 
prejudice  to  the  good  name  and  reputation  of  either. 
Thus  done  in  collegio,  on  the  date  above  written. 
_.  Jacob  Lambertsz,  defendant. 

rirst 

default.  [The  rest  of  the  page  is  blank.] 

[77v]  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst,  director  of  the  colony  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck,  plaintiff,  against  Teunis  Dircksz,  defendant. 

Whereas  by  virtue  of  their  oath  and  the  orders  of  the  honor- 
able patroon  the  gentlemen  [of  the  court]  of  the  aforesaid  colony 
are  required  and  commanded  to  see  to  it  that  all  the  farmers 
each  year,  in  accordance  with  their  contract,  render  an  itemized 
account  and  statement  [of  everything] ,  inclusive  even  of  the  fur 
trade,  and  make  payment,  and  this  not  in  gross,  but  in  detail, 
the  said  defendant  has  thus  far  failed  to  do  so,  notwithstanding 
the  aforesaid  gentlemen,  as  often  as  twice  a  year,  by  public 
ordinance  (in  addition  to  many  verbal  reminders  by  the  said 
plaintiff)  have  given  abundant  warning  that  every  one  must 
within  certain  days  deliver  an  account  in  writing  with  the 
vouchers  thereof  to  the  director  aforesaid  and  that  no  one  may 
transport  out  of  the  colony,  or  even  remove  from  one  place  to 
another,  any  grain,  boards,  or  other  effects  until  and  before  the 
honorable  patroon  or  his  director  are  satisfied,  on  pain  of  con- 
fiscation of  the  grain  and  effects  as  provided  by  said  ordinance 
and  of  paying  in  addition  a  fine  of  fl.  25  for  each  default. 
This  does  especially  apply  to  those  who  have  an  open  account, 
like  this  defendant,  who  is  bound  to  render  an  account  of 
the  years  1638  and  1639,  as  well  as  of  the  building 
done  by  him  and  the  farm  implements  and  grain  which  he 
received  as  former  farm  hand  of  the  honorable  patroon.  Also, 
as  farmer,  from  the  year.  1 640  to  1 648,  with  the  fl.  1 6  for  each 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  147 

farm  hand.  Furthermore,  for  the  years  1 649  and  1 650,  accord- 
ing to  the  agreement  of  March  1  7,  1 650,  of  the  patroon's  common 
property,  which  the  defendant  leased  at  a  public  bidding  for 
fl.  500  a  year,  in  addition  to  the  tithes  and  recognition,  according 
to  the  conditions  of  September  14,  1648.  Furthermore,  the 
defendant,  in  the  year  1648,  promised  to  pay  for  tithes  28 
schepels  of  wheat  and  28  schepels  of  oats  and  in  the  years  1 649 
and  1 650  the  defendant  managed  on  his  own  authority,  without 
the  knowledge  of  the  director,  much  less  of  the  commissioners, 
to  appropriate  the  lord's  tithes,  and  to  keep  to  himself  all  the 
rent,  tithes  and  the  patroon's  common  property  and  disposes 
thereof  as  if  they  were  his  own,  contrary  to  the  patroon's 
prohibition,  as  appears  on  folio  50  of  the  court  record,  and  only 
seeks  his  own  profit  and  tries  to  cheat  the  patroon  out  of  his  law- 
ful property  [78]  and  possessions.  And  even  dares  bodly  and 
without  shame,  in  the  presence  of  the  director  and  Domine  Mega- 
polensis,  to  assert  that  he  paid  fl.  9000,  in  return  for  which  he, 
the  defendant,  received  but  fl.  2000,  as  was  done  even  lately,  on 
May  8,  1650.  Which,  indeed,  is  putting  it  on  altogether  too 
thick  and  quite  incredible. 

Furthermore,  apart  from  the  aforesaid  ordinances,  the  honor- 
able plaintiff,  in  the  name  of  the  patroon,  attached  in  the  year 
1649  the  defendant's  grain,  both  threshed  and  unthreshed,  for- 
bidding the  same  to  be  removed,  much  less  to  be  transported  out 
of  the  colony  before  the  defendant  had  rendered  his  lawful 
accounting  and  statement  as  aforesaid.  Notwithstanding  this, 
contrary  to  and  in  spite  of  all  this,  the  defendant  has  carted  the 
grain  past  the  director's  door  and  last  year  furnished  two  lasts 
of  wheat  to  Hendrick,  the  baker,  and  others.  Also,  on  April  2 1 , 
1650,  he  caused  skipper  Jan  de  Kaeper  to  take  401  schepels  of 
oats  and  in  the  fall,  on  November  14,  160  schepels  of  oats  to 
the  Manhatans,  and  further  on  his  own  authority  alienated  all 
his  grain. 

And  when  the  director  by  proper  judicial  proceedings  tries  to 
prevent  it,  he,  the  defendant,  calls  said  director  a  thief  and  a 


148  Colony  of 

rescal  and,  if  the  plaintiff  had  not  prevented  it,  would,  on 
February  16,  1650,  in  the  morning,  at  about  9  o'clock,  as  the 
director  was  busy  writing  in  his  own  office,  have  stabbed  him 
with  his  own  pen  knife  in  the  presence  of  his  own  son  and  the 
director's  two  [grand]  children.1  Which  aforesaid  deeds,  neither 
can  nor  ought  to  be  suffered  to  go  unpunished.  Therefore,  as 
the  defendant  has  not  only  defied  the  director  and  this  honorable 
court  and  violated  their  ordinances  as  well  as  the  Freedoms  law- 
fully obtained  by  the  honorable  patroon  from  their  High  Might- 
inesses, but  also  gravely  offended  the  Lords  States  General  whose 
place  is  likewise  occupied  here,  the  honorable  plaintiff,  in  view  of 
all  these  circumstances,  demands: 

In  the  first  place,  that  the  defendant  shall  within  a  specified 
time  be  peremptorily  ordered  to  render  his  lawful  account,  [78v] 
under  penalty  of  judgment  by  default  and  such  damages  (and 
he  would  not  have  it  happen  again  for  ten  thousand  guilders)  as 
the  plaintiff  in  his  capacity  shall  reckon  to  have  suffered,  with 
costs,  and  without  prejudice  to  the  former  fines. 

Secondly,  that  all  the  grain  delivered,  sent  away,  removed  or 
shipped  by  the  defendant  during  the  years  1 648,  1 649  and  1 650 
shall  be  confiscated  by  virtue  of  the  aforesaid  ordinance.  And 
furthermore  that  the  defendant  be  condemned  to  pay  the  full 
amount  of  all  the  fines  which  in  accordance  with  said  ordinance 
he  has  incurred  to  this  date,  [the  plaintiff]  requesting  security 
for  the  satisfaction  of  the  judgment,  all  with  costs. 

Finally,  that  he  be  made  to  pay  the  rent  and  toepacht  of  the 
six  morgens  of  land  for  the  year  1650,  and  as  surety  for  Jan 
Helms  also  be  made  to  pay  his  rent  and  toepacht  for  1 650,  with 
costs. 


1The  will  of  Gerrit  van  Slichtenhorst,  dated  Oct.  12,  1683,  proved 
Sept.  (Dec.?)  29,  1685  (N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.,  Collections,  1892,  25:170, 
470—471),  mentions  seven  children:  Alida,  wife  of  Peter  Davids  Schuy- 
ler,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Nicholas  William  Stuyvesant,  Bata,  wife  of  Jan 
Oost,  Helagont,  Gerrit,  Rachel  and  Yonde.  Two  of  the  younger  chil- 
dren, Gerrit  and  Gouda,  or  Hillegonda,  afterwards  moved  to  the  Dutch 
colony  of  Surinam.  See  De  Navorscher,  1918,  67:436-37. 


Court  Minutes,  /  648- f  652  149 

The  same  demand  the  director  likewise  makes  in  regard  to  the 
defendant  and  Cornells  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck,  in  their 
capacity  of  guardians  of  the  minor  children  of  Cornells  Maessen, 
deceased. 

Director  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against  Teunis 
Dircksz  van  Vechten,  defendant,  for  slander. 

Whereas  the  defendant,  on  the  first  of  February  1650,  when 
the  plaintiff  in  his  official  capacity  came  to  the  house  of  Cornelis 
Teunisz  van  Breuckelen  to  make  an  inventory  of  the  patroon's 
cattle,  in  the  presence  of  nearly  all  the  authorities  of  the  colony 
and  of  Fort  Orange,  the  Domine  and  about  ten  witnesses,  dared 
1 6  or  17  separate  times  greatly  to  abuse  the  plaintiff,  saying : 
''Are  you  to  be  our  director  and  ruler?  You  are  an  old,  gray 
thief  and  a  rascal  and  you  have  stolen  my  own  property  and  I 
shall  prove  it,"  adding  thereto  all  sorts  of  abuse  and  this  without 
any  cause  or  occasion  for  it.  Which  slanderous  remarks  the 
plaintiff  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  court  and  for  which  the 
defendant  is  now  [79],  the  2d  of  this  month,  summoned  to 
appear  before  the  full  court,  but  does  not  appear,  so  that  in  the 
first  place  proof  of  his  statements  is  demanded  as  before. 

Secondly,  the  defendant,  on  December  19,  1649,  and  again 
on  February  16,  1650,  at  the  house  of  Pieter  Bronck  likewise 
slandered  the  plaintiff  (and  also  called  Domine  Megapolensis 
an  informer,  as  appears  more  at  large  by  the  bill  of  complaint) , 
which  slander  the  said  plaintiff  has  taken  much  to  heart,  being 
a  person  of  good  reputation  and  character,  who  neither  in  his 
private  nor  in  his  official  capacity  is  willing  to  suffer  such  injury 
for  anything  under  the  sun  and  which  in  a  land  of  justice  should 
not  go  unpunished,  it  being  intolerable  that  people  should  thus 
fail  to  respect  their  lawful  authorities,  both  ecclesiastical  and 
civil. 

The  honorable  plaintiff  concludes  therefore  that  the  defendant 
for  such  repeated,  public,  deliberate,  false  and  lying  accusation 
must  and  ought  to  be  punished  as  an  example  to  others. 

Furthermore,  that  for  all  the  aforesaid  slanders  he  shall  make 


150  Colony  of 

honorable  and  pecuniary  amends,  as  follows :  In  the  first  place, 
that  he  shall  appear  before  the  entire  court  and  resting  on  his 
bare  knees  pray  God,  .the  court  and  the  director  for  forgiveness; 
that  he  shall  then  with  his  right  hand  slap  his  mouth  and  say  as 
many  times  as  he  has  slandered  with  it,  "  Mouth,  thou  hast 
spoken  falsely  and  lyingly."  And  that  for  each  slander  he  shall 
in  addition  be  condemned  to  pay  a  fine  of  fl.  300,  two  thirds 
thereof  to  be  for  the  director  and  one  third  for  the  poor,  in 
accordance  with  the  ordinance  of  May  28,  1648;  and  that 
furthermore  he  shall  be  punished  as  stated  above,  all  cum 
expends,  the  plaintiff  demanding  security  for  the  judgment. 

The  defendant,  some  time  ago,  in  crossing  the  river  with 
Domine  Megapolensis,  likewise,  without  any  reason  whatever, 
addressed  many  vile  words  to  the  Domine,  who  at  the  time  was 
an  estimable  minister  here  in  the  colony,  making  him  out  to  be  an 
informer  and  a  rascal  [79v]  and,  after  having  uttered  said 
slander,  crowded  in  upon  the  minister  with  the  intention  of 
stabbing  him  unexpectedly  with  a  knife,  so  that  the  minister  upon 
his  approach  warned  the  defendant  not  to  come  nearer,  or  he 
would  hit  him  with  a  piece  of  wood  on  the  side  of  his  head  in 
such  a  way  that  he  would  fall  out  of  the  boat  into  water. 

And  as  the  defendant  has  not  been  able  to  prove  the  aforesaid 
charges,  he  must  be  regarded  as  a  slanderer,  who  in  addition  has 
committed  assault  and  violence,  for  which  according  to  the 
ordinance  of  May  28,  1648,  he  is  liable  to  a  fine  of  fl.  150,  and 
as  the  same  took  place  on  Sunday,  the  double  amount  according 
to  the  ordinance,  or  fl.  300,  and  for  drawing  his  knife,  fl.  100, 
according  to  the  ordinance  of  the  Manhatans,  amounting  in  all 
to  .  .  .  fl.  [blank]  ;  all  cum  expensls. 

Furthermore,  the  plaintiff  has  summoned  the  defendant  to 
obtain  payment  of  the  stipulated  toepachten  *  for  the  year  1 648, 
in  addition  to  the  tithes  and  the  amount  in  cash  stipulated  in  the 
contract  of  September  14,  1648;  together  with  the  toepachten 


*A  sort  of  quitrent  to  which  the  director  under  his  contract  with  the 
guardians  of  the  young  patroon  was  entitled. 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  151 

for  the  years  1649  and  1650,  at  fl.  [blank]  a  year,  all  cum 
expensis. 

The  defendant,  furthermore,  has  dared  to  put  an  exhorbitant 
price  on  his  and  the  patroon's  earliest  grain,  selling  the  mudde 
at  eleven  guilders,  which  is  a  violation  of  the  patroon's  ordinance, 
it  being  the  particular  duty  of  the  commissioners  and  the  court 
to  prevent  that  any  one  fix  the  price  of  the  grain  in  such  a  way 
as  to  oppress  the  poor  people  and  his  fellow  men  as  much  as  is 
in  his  power ;  for  which  offense  he  is  liable  to  the  patroon's  high- 
est fine. 

[80]  September  18,  1648,  Teunis  Dircksz  ordered  Willem 
Menten  four  times  in  succession  to  fire  a  musket  in  the  brewery 
during  the  night,  by  which  repeated  shooting  those  of  the  fort 
and  in  the  colony  were  quite  startled  and  frightened,  thinking 
that  it  was  an  alarm;  whereupon  those  in  the  fort  returned  the 
firing,  as  a  signal  that  they  would  come  to  the  rescue,  and  Monsr. 
Labatie  with  some  soldiers,  who  were  assigned  to  the  task  of 
pulling  down  the  houses  in  the  Fuycfy  *  and  who  were  ordered  to 
go,  during  the  night  sailed  across  the  river  to  relieve  them.  When 
Monsr.  Labatie  and  the  aforesaid  soldiers  came  into  the  Grenen- 
bos,  Teunis  Dircksz  gave  them  six  gallons  and  a  half  barrel  of 
beer  for  their  trouble.  For  which  improper  shooting  by  night, 
he  has  forfeited -for  each  time  the  sum  of  fl.10,  according  to  the 
ordinance  of  October  16,  1648,  and  in  addition  is  to  be  arbi- 
trarily punished  as  an  example  to  others.  All  cum  expenses. 

The  19th  ditto,  Teunis  Dircksz  called  Teunis  Cornelisz  a 
rascal  and  a  thief  and  in  addition  beat  him  in  his  own  house 


1  The  Dutch  name  for  a  funnel  shaped  hoopnet.  The  name  may 
originally  have  been  applied  to  the  houses  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  fort,  which  were  built  along  convergent  lines,  as  distinguished  from 
the  term  fcj?eenn>oni'nge,  which  in  this  record  is  used  repeatedly  to  designate 
the  entire  village.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  on  the  island  of  Curacao, 
in  the  Dutch  West  Indies,  there  is  a  harbor  called  de  Fuyclf,  which  is 
referred  to  by  de  Laet  as  early  as  1 644.  See  his  Historic  ofte  laerlijclf 
Verhael  van  de  V errichtinghen  der  Geociroyeerde  West—Indische  Com- 
pagnie,  p.  436.  Cf.  also  Doc.  rel  to  Col.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  2:558,  and 
Journal  of  Jasper  Dancfyaerts,  1679—1680,  ed.  by  B.  B.  James  and 
J.  F.  Jameson,  in  "  Original  Narratives  of  Early  American  History," 
p.  216. 


152 

about  the  head  with  his  fists  and  pulled  the  hair  out,  of  his  head, 
because  he  had  hired  the  six  morgens  of  land  which  the  com- 
missioners in  leasing  his  land  had  kept  to  themselves,  which 
attempt  to  give  the  patroon's  property  a  bad  name  and  make  it 
useless  is  a  matter  of  serious  import  and  consequence,  for  which 
he  has  forfeited  the  sum  of  fl.  10  for  each  excess,  to  wit,  first, 
for  calling  him  a  rascal,  secondly  a  thief,  thirdly,  for  having 
struck  him  with  his  fists,  and  fourthly  for  pulling  his  hair  and 
trying  to  make  the  patroon's  property  useless,  amounting  together 
to  fl.  40:-  and  in  addition,  arbitrary  correction. 

In  May  1649,  the  defendant  fought,  first  with  Pieter  Hert- 
gers,  and  then  with  Mr  Abraham  Staas,  with  fists,  at  their  house 
in  the  brewery,  for  which  he  has  forfeited  fl.  10  each,  or  fl.20:-, 
all  cum  expenses. 

[80v]  February  21,.  1649,  Teunis  Dircksz  was  fined  because 
he  let  a  sleigh  with  two  horses  in  very  cold  weather  stand  with- 
out food  or  cover  before  the  door  of  Jan  Verbeeck,  for  which 
according  to  the  ordinance  he  has  forfeited,  for  the  first  time, 
the  sum  of  fl.  3  :— 

Director  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against  Seger 
Cornelisz,  defendant. 

Whereas  the  defendant,  on  December  23,  1648,  before  the 
full  court,  acknowledged  his  signature  affixed  t'o  the  contract  of 
August  25,  1643,  upon  which  acknowledgement,  as  appears  on 
folio  21  of  the  court  record,  he  was  condemned  to  fulfill  all  the 
terms  of  the  contract,  which  has  since  expired,  it  follows  that  the 
defendant  must  deliver  in  the  first  place,  the  house,  brew  house, 
three  hay  barracks,  hogpen,  wagon,  plow,  harrows,  harness,  and 
furthermore  all  the  farm  implements,  horses,  cows  and  hogs, 
according  to  the  inventory,  information  and  contract  made  with 
vander  Donck  in  the  year  1 646,  all  in  good  condition  and  wall 
and  roof  tight,1  according  to  the  plain  language  of  the  contract, 


*At  this  point  is  written  in  the  margin:  "  2d,  must  deliver  in  good  condi- 
tion the  number  of  animals  and  the  aforesaid  farm  tools;  3d,  the  build- 
ings; 4th,  or,  in  case  of  failure,  the  honorable  plaintiff  will  count  the  loss 
at  fl.  1500,  plus  damages  and  costs." 


Court  Minutes,  /  648-1 652  153 

which  the  patroon  will  not  suffer  any  one  to  misconstrue  or  inter- 
pret otherwise  than  it  stands,  and  which  reads  as  follows:  "  The 
patroon  shall  to  begin  with  provide  [the  buildings]  at  his  expense, 
provided  that  the  farmer  shall  thereafter  at  his  expense  maintain 
them  and  keep  them  in  repair,  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  lease 
deliver  them  back  in  as  good  condition  as  he  received  them." 
Nota.  For  which  the  defendant  is  asked  to  give  security  or,  in 
default  thereof,  to  go  under  arrest. 

[81  ]  Also,  that  the  defendant  within  a  short  time  shall  comply 
with  and  satisfy  the  judgment  of  August  1 2,  1 649,  in  regard  to 
his  refusal  to  have  an  appraisal  made  of  the  patroon's  own  build- 
ings, under  penalty  of  arrest,  for  the  first  time. 

Also,  payment  for  the  23  morgens  of  wheat  appraised  at  fl.  75, 
with  interest  at  10%  until  full  payment  is  made,  as  is  customary 
here,  and  also  to  give  security  therefor. 

Whereas  all  the  colonists  have  each  year,  spmetimes  twice,  by 
publicly  posted  notices  been  warned  that  every  one  must  deliver 
to  the  director  his  account  in  writing,  for  each  year  separately, 
with  the  necessary  vouchers,  the  defendant  nevertheless 
obstinately  remains  in  default  to  render  his  account  for  the  years 
1644,  1645,  1646  and  1647,  under  the  penalty  provided  by  the 
ordinance,  and  is  to  pay  the  balance  agreed  upon  on  March  3, 
1 650,  and  to  give  security  therefor. 

Also,  the  defendant,  last  year,  on  his  own  authority,  appro- 
priated the  patroon's  tithes,  without  once  notifying  thereof  the 
director,  much  less  the  commissioners,  for  which  he  has  for- 
feited for  each  morgen  4  schepels  of  wheat,  according  to  the 
regulations  made  by  the  late  patroon  in  regard  to  the  tithes,  in 
addition  to  the  value  of  the  same. 

Furthermore,  the  defendant  has  dared  daily  to  have  teaming 
done  with  the  patroon's  horses,  which  were  entrusted  to  him 
only  to  do  his  farm  work  with,  employing  thereto  one,  two  and 
even  three  horses  at  a  time,  as  the  plaintiff  himself  has  seen,  in 
violation  of  the  ordinance  of  March  31,1 649. 

The  plaintiff,  therefore,  demands  that  the  defendant  be  con- 


154  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck 

demned  to  render  within  a  specified  time  an  account  of  his  illegi- 
timate gains;  that  [81  v]  the  halfe  of  said  gains  shall  be  declared 
to  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  honorable  patroon  and  that  he  alone, 
without  loss  to  the  patroon,  shall  be  required  to  make  good  the 
damage  suffered  on  account  of  the  horses  that  are  stiff,  crippled, 
lame,  blind,  dead  or  drowned;  the  plaintiff  maintaining  further 
that  the  defendant  ought  to  be  arbitrarily  punished  for  having 
misused  the  property  that  was  entrusted  to  him;  all  cum  expenses. 
Also,  that  the  defendant  be  ordered  within  a  definite  time  to 
make  a  correct  return  of  all  the  beer  that  was  brewed  by  him 
and  to  pay  therefore  one  guilder  per  barrel,  according  to  the 
ordinance  of  the  honorable  patroon. 
February  14.  Jacob  Lambertsz,  defendant. 
Also:  Teunis  Dircksz 

Corn:  Segersz 

Jan  Carstensz 

Corn:  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck 

Jan  Michielsz 

Willem  Jeuriaensz 

Willem  Fredericksz 

Aert  Jacobszl  Of  these,  the  grain,  threshed  and 

Jan  Helms     J  unthreshed,  was  attached. 

[82]  Court  proceedings,  February  16  Anno  1651 

Teunis  Dircksz  acknowledges  his  signature  as  surety  affixed 
to  the  contract  of  sale  of  the  farm  of  Jan  Helms. 

Cornelis  Teunisz  acknowledges  his  signature  as  surety  affixed 
to  the  contract  of  sale  of  the  farm  of  Aert  Jacobsz. 

Andries  de  Vos,  having  been  requested  to  act  as  assistant  to 
the  guardians  of  the  orphans  of  the  late  Cornelis  Maessen, 
accepts  the  appointment  before  the  court. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Andries  de  Vos,  praying  to  be  released 
[from  his  contract]  regarding  the  use  of  the  water  and  the  build- 
ing of  a  mill  in  the  vicinity  of  the  farm  of  Thomas  Chamber,  on 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  155 

account  of  the  difficulties  and  inconveniences  connected  there- 
with, as  shown  in  a  previous  remonstrance,  his  reasons  are 
accepted  by  us  at  their  face  value  and  admitted  to  be  valid; 
consequently,  -fiat  is  entered  upon  his  petition. 

Willem  Jeuriaensz  acknowledges  his  signature  to  his  contract 
dated  May  7,  1638. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Jan  Thomasz  and  Volckert  Hansz,  pray- 
ing payment  of  what  is  due  to  them  by  the  honorable  patroon, 
the  following  serves  for  apostil:  If  they  render  a  true  account, 
statement  and  proof  of  what  is  coming  to  them  from  the  honor- 
able patroon,  they  will  be  satisfied  to  that  amount  in  goods 
of  the  honorable  patroon. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:]  The  director  appeals  from  the 
above  decision. 

[82v]  Court  proceedings,  March  2  Anno  1651 

Jacob  Adriaensz  summoned  to  pay  land  rent  of  the  year  1 648. 

The  term  of  the  lease  of  the  homestead  of  Casper  Jacobsz 
shall  commence  at  Amsterdam  fair  1  anno  1 65 1 . 

Teunis  Dircksz  agrees  to  answer  the  director's  complaint  in 
two  weeks,  provided  that  a  copy  be  handed  to  him. 

Cornelis  Segersz  is  likewise  granted  a  delay  of  two  weeks, 
precisely. 

As  to  the  attachment,  Cornelis  Segersz  promises  here  before 
the  court  that  he  will  deliver  to  the  honorable  director  four  hun- 
dred schepels  of  wheat,  on  condition  that  he  to  whom  anything 
shall  turn  out  to  be  due  by  settlement  of  accounts,  shall  receive  it. 

In  regard  to  the  proposal  made  the  honorable  director  about 
the  ordinance  concerning  the  depreciation  of  loose  seawan,2  issued 
and  communicated  to  us  by  the  honorable  general  and  council  of 
New  Netherland,  we  report  that  we  are  forced  to  follow  it,  for 
the  reason  that  otherwise  we  should  draw  all  the  unstrung  sea- 


1  September  22. 

2  See  Laws  and  Ordinances  of  New  Netherland,  p.  1 15-18. 


156  Colony  of  Rensselaersivyclt 

wan  from  the  Manhatans  to  the  colony,  to  the  considerable  loss 
and  damage  of  the  honorable  patroon  and  the  inhabitants. 

March  7,  1 65 1 ,  the  Honorable  Director  Slichtenhorst 
attached  the  threshed  and  unthreshed  grain  of  [Claes  Segersz?] 
for  the  payment  of  the  patroon's  highest  fine. 

On  the  same  date  and  in  like  manner  the  director  attached 
the  grain  of  Jeuriaen  Bestval  and  also  summoned  him  in  order 
to  secure  payment  for  the  years  1 649  and  1 650. 

The  1  1  th  ditto,  Cornelis  Segersz  was  summoned  in  his  capa- 
city of  lessee  for  the  payments  as  above  on  account  of  Claes 
Segertsz. 

[83]  Cornelis  Segertsz  having  appeared  in  court  on  the  2d 
day  of  March  aforesaid,  after  receipt  of  the  complaint  brought 
against  him  by  the  honorable  director,  and  having  been  asked  by 
the  plaintiff  whether  he  had  answered  it,  he  replied  that  he  did 
not  consider  himself  sufficiently  able  to  refute  the  same  and 
requested  that  for  lack  of  advocates  or  attorneys  a  member  of 
the  court  might  be  appointed  defensoris  loco  to  answer  the  same. 
The  honorable  members  of  the  court,  therefore,  having  duly  con- 
sidered the  defendant's  request  and  not  seen  fit  to  reject  it,  but 
on  the  contrary  wishing  to  grant  his  just  request,  have  after  some 
controversy  and  opposition  finally  ordered  and  directed  Antonio 
de  Hooges  to  undertake  the  task.  Which  the  said  de  Hooges 
(as  in  duty  bound  to  their  honors  aforesaid)  has  accepted,  upon 
this  special  condition  that  he  should  not  become  involved  in  the 
suit.  Whereupon  the  honorable  plaintiff  suggested  [that  he 
accept  the  appointment]  without  prejudice  to  his  honor  and  oath, 
which  the  said  attorney  promised.,  Whereupon,  as  a  further 
pledge,  the  honorable  director  and  Monsr.  Arent  van  Curler  as 
commissioner  have  offered  him,  de  Hooges,  the  right  hand,  in  the 
presence  of 

{Rutger  Jacobsz    and  ^| 
Pieter  Hertgers  j  magistrates 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  157 

[83v]   Court  proceedings,  March   16  Anno   1651 

Cornells  Segersz,  being  once  more  confronted  with  the  judg- 
ment of  March  3,  1650,  declares  and  earnestly  represents  that 
he  has  serious  objections  thereto,  and  humbly  but  urgently 
requests  that  the  question  which  may  result  from  his  account  may 
be  referred,  not  to  the  honorable  masters,  who  are  prejudiced  in 
the  matter,  but  to  impartial  judges  or  persons  learned  in  the  law, 
by  whose  decision  both  parties  may  abide. 

Which  request  being  taken  up  and  considered  by  their  honors 
aforesaid,  they  have  decided  to  allow  room  for  fair  play  and 
therefore  granted  his  request. 

Presentibus:     Mr  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst,  director 
Arent  van  Curler,  commissioner 
A:  de  Hooges,  commissioner  and  secretary 
Rutger  Jacobsz         ""j 
Pieter  Hertgers  and  L    magistrates 
Jan  Verbeeck 

Gysbert  Cornelisz  acknowledges  that  on  January  31,  1650, 
he  leased  Casteels  island  for  fl.  1910. 

What  was  attached  in  the  hands  of  Thomas  Chamber  on 
account  of  Claes  Teunisz  amounts  to fl.  1 34 : 1 0- 

And  after  payment  of  that  money  on  account  of  Jan  Ver- 
beeck    fl.  45:- 

The  honorable  director  hereupon  requests  judgment. 

Claes  Teunisz  requests  that  the  money  due  to  him  from  the 
honorable  patroon  be  paid. 

The  director  demands  payment  from  Jochem  Kettelheym  on 
account  of  the  farm  of  Jeuriaen  Bestval,  for  so  far  as  his  share 
as  principal  is  concerned. 

[84]   December  21   Anno  1650 

Carsten  Carstensen,  being  asked  by  the  director  whether  he 
sold  the  garden  heretofore  used  by  him,  situated  north  of  the  lot 


158  Colony  of 

of  Gysbert  Cornelisz  from  Weesop  *  and  south  of  the  honorable 
Company's  [ground],  as  to  the  ground,  the  use  thereof,  or  any- 
thing else? 

Answers,  that  he  sold  to  Jacob  Jansen  Schermerhoorn  the 
palisades  and  the  produce  that  was  in  it  last  summer  for  four 
beavers,  and  the  hogpen  for  one  beaver,  so  that  he  has  neither 
sold  nor  enjoyed  any  use  or  ownership,  but  only  [sold]  the 
produce  and  building  for  so  far  as  they  were  his  own. 

He  says  also  that  when  the  garden  was  granted  to  him,  he  was 
a  free  colonist  under  contract  with  the  honorable  patroon  of  this 
colony. 

This  he  has  declared  to  be  true,  in  the  presence  of: 
Monsr.  Arendt  van  Curler 
Monsr.  Gerrit  Vasterick 
Monsr.   Roelant  Savery2 

At  the  request  of  Director  Brandt  van  Slichtenhorst, 

Which  I  certify, 

A.  de  Hooges,  Secretary 

This  day,  the  22d  of  December  1 650,  Carsten  Carstensen  has 
again  declared  in  court  that  the  above  statements  are  true  and 
consequently  confirmed  them  by  handshake  and  true  words, 
instead  of  an  oath. 

Which  I  certify, 

A.  de  Hooges,  Secretary 

Jan  Baerensen,  who  has  had  the  use  of  the  aforesaid  garden 
before  Carsten,  declares  that  he  took  it  by  order,  authority  and 
consent  of  Cornelis  Tuenisz  from  Brueckelen,  at  that  time  officer 
of  this  colony.3  Testified  to,  this  27th  of  March  1651.  Which 
I  certify,  A.  de  Hooges,  Secretary. 


1The  same  as  Weesp,  a  city  near  Amsterdam. 

2  He  was  a  glazier;  see  Appendix  II. 

3  At  the  bottom  of  the  page,  in  a  later  hand,  is  written :     "  Cornelis 
Teunisz  from  Breuckelen,  officer  of  this  colony.     When?  ** 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  159 

[84v]   August  18  Anno  1651 

With  common  consent  it  is  resolved  to  send  away  some  extracts 
from  the  court  minutes  concerning  the  proceedings  between  the 
honorable  director  and  Claes  Gerritsz. 

The  court  once  more  orders  Claes  Gerritsz  to  satisfy  the  judg- 
ment of  August  20,  1650,  within  six  weeks  after  notice  hereof 
is  served,  under  the  penalty  of  two  pounds  Flemish. 

Whereas  question  has  arisen  between  Director  Slichtenhorst 
and  Domine  Megapolensis  in  regard  to  the  account  between  them 
and  the  payment  thereof,  Domine  Megapolensis  is  kindly 
requested  this  coming  autumn  to  come  to  the  colony  of  Rens- 
selaerswyck  at  the  expense  of  the  honorable  patroon  and  the 
co-directors,  in  order  to  preach  God's  Holy  Word  and  administer 
the  sacraments  and  among  other  things  to  settle  the  aforesaid 
account  and  question  and  pay  according  to  his  ability. 
Rensselaerswyck,  August  18,  anno  1651. 

[The  director, 

Slichtenhorst?] 

[85]  This  day,  the  18th  of  August  anno  1651,  Hendrick 
Reur  from  Munster  is  engaged  as  court  messenger  for  the  period 
of  one  year,  to  acquit  himself  faithfully  of  his  duties,  for  which 
he  is  to  receive  a  salary  of  one  hundred  guilders  a  year  and  in 
addition  thereto  fees  for  citations  and  arrests. 

And  Hendrick  Reur  has  by  shaking  hands  with  the  director, 
instead  of  taking  an  oath,  promised  before  the  court  that  he  will 
faithfully  conduct  himself. 

[The  rest  of  the  page  is  blank.] 

[85v]   Extraordinary  session,  September  6,  1651 

As  to  the  question  which  has  arisen  between  Pieter  Bronck 
and  Joost  Teunisz  from  Norden; 

Whereas,  on  receiving  an  order  on  Jan  van  Bremen,  Joost 
Teunisz  turned  over  to  Pieter  Bronck  the  obligation  between 


160  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvydt 

them,  which  amounts  to  giving  a  receipt,  but  whereas  Joost 
Teunisz  has  not  yet  received  the  fifty  guilders,  owing  to  the  fact 
that  to  this  date  he  has  not  been  at  the  house  of  Jan  van  Bremen 
for  that  purpose,  and  we  are  informed  that  at  the  time  the  order 
was  made  out  the  money  was  ready,  it  is  adjudged  that  Joost 
Teunisz  must  provisionally  seek  to  recover  the  amount  from  the 
aforesaid  Jan  van  Bremen  and  in  case  for  some  time  to  come 
there  is  no  likelihood  of  payment,  Pieter  Bronk  must  secure  pay- 
ment before  he  may  receive  the  balance  of  his  own  account  from 
Jan  van  Bremen. 

As  to  the  costs  of  the  extraordinary  session,  amounting  to 
fl.  18:10,  Joost  Teunisz  is  condemned  to  pay  two  thirds,  or 
fl.  12:10,  and  Pieter  Bronck  one  third,  or  fl.  6:- 

[86]  As  to  the  defamation,  Joost  Teunisz  declares  before  the 
court  that  he  has  nothing  to  say  against  Pieter  Bronck  that 
reflects  on  his  honor  or  virtue,  if  he  only  gets  his  pay. 

As  to  the  calling  of  names,  which  Joost  had  no  right  to,  as 
he  should  have  let  the  court  settle  their  difference,  he  is  con- 
demned to  make  reparation  by  paying  a  fine  of  eight  guilders  to 
the  director  and  two  guilders  to  the  poor. 

As  to  the  matter  in  dispute  between  Jacob  Jansz  Plodder, 
plaintiff,  and  Hendrick  Andriesz,  defendant,  the  court  has 
thought  best  to  call  in  two  impartial  person  to  examine  the  boards 
and  to  determine  whether  they  are  merchantable,  or  not,  to  which 
purpose  are  appointed  the  following  persons,  namely :  Mr  Abram 
Pietersz  1  and  Harman  Bastiaensz,  who  are  to  make  their  report 
to  the  court,  which  shall  then  adjudge  the  matter  as  it  shall  see  fit. 

Whereas  Jacob  Jansz  Plodder  sold  a  certain  quantity  of 
boards  to  Hendrick  Andriesz,  which  were  to  be  merchantable 
and  now  form  the  subject  of  a  dispute  because  the  delivery  is 
said  to  have  taken  place  out  of  season,  the  honorable  court  has 
thought  fit  to  refer  the  matter  to  Harman  Bastiaensz  and  Willem 
Fredericksz  Bout,  to  examine  said  boards  and  to  determine 


1  Abraham  Pietersz  Vosburg. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  161 

whether  they  are  merchantable,  or  not.  The  persons  aforesaid 
having  declared  before  the  court  that  some  of  the  boards  are  not 
merchantable,  the  honorable  court  have  decided  and  adjudged 
that  in  their  opinion  Jacob  Jansz  Plodder  is  bound  to  take  back 
the  boards  and  Hendrick  Andriesz  is  ordered  to  return  said 
boards  at  his  expense  to  Jacob  Jansz  Plodder,  or  to  make  pay- 
ment therefor.  The  costs  of  convening  the  court  in  extraordinary 
session  are  to  be  paid  by  Jacob  Jansz.  Done  in  collegia,  the  6th 
of  September  1 65 1 . 

By  order  of  the  director  and  council  of  the  colony  of  Rensse- 
laerswyck,  in  [their]  absence. 

[86v]   Court  proceedings,  September  7  Anno   1651 
Cited  are: 

Claes  Teunisz 

First  Marten  Hendricksz 

default     1  Evert  Pels 

Thomas  Keuningh 

Extraordinary  session,  9  ditto,  1 65 1 

j  Evert  Pels 

I   Marten  Hendricksz 

Court  proceedings,  September  14  Anno  1651 

The  judgment  of  August  20,  1 650,  concerning  Claes  Gerritsz, 
being  read  to  Cornelis  Segersz,  he  declares  that  he  has  made  no 
payment,  whereupon  the  director  levies  an  attachment. 

Cornelis  Cornelisz  van  Voorhout  cited  to  pay: 

For  the  rent  of  the  year  1650 fl.    100:- 

For  tithes fl.      15:- 

For[  ] [  ] 

1     [  ] [  1 

6 


162  Colony  of 

For  [  ]  pair  [  ]    fl.  30:- 

He  promises  to  pay  the  same  at  the  first  opportunity. 

[87]      Thomas  Chamber  and  j 
Default  Claes  Teunisz 

First  default       Teunis  Cornelisz 

Evert  Pels  and  Martten  Hendricksz  being  summoned  to 
appear  in  regard  to  payment  for  the  brewery  and  their  note  of 
March  15,  1650,  acknowledge  their  signature  and  debt  and 
promise  at  the  first  opportunity  to  make  some  payment  according 
to  their  ability. 

Claes  Gerritsz  has  cited  the  honorable  director. 

Claes  Gerritsz  is  arrested  by  the  honorable  director  [to 
remain]  within  the  [limits  of  the]  colony,  under  penalty  of  the 
lord's  highest  fine. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Pieter  Bronck  for  permission  to  have  a 
suitable  house  erected  for  tapping  purposes,  for  which  he  has  had 
a  quantity  of  lumber  piled  near  his  house,  the  director  asks  that 
in  accordance  with  the  instructions  from  the  honorable  guardians 
but  two  taverns  be  allowed.  Whereupon,  the  court  having  heard 
the  said  instructions  read,  it  is  unanimously  decided  that  for  the 
convenience  of  the  public  [the  petition  of]  Pieter  Bronck  [shall 
be  granted],  whereupon  the  director  [has  withdrawn  his 
request] . 

[87v]  Thomas  Chamber  again  cited  to  appear  on  Thursday 
next. 

Court  proceedings,  September  28  Anno  1651 
Cited: 

f  Evert  Pels 

Second  default.      J  . 

I   Marten  Hendncksz 

Thomas  Keuningh 
Sander  Leendersz 

Second  ClaCS    GemtSZ 

default  Teunis  Cornelis 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


163 


Agreed 
together. 

Claes 
Cornelisz 

suffers  his 
first   default. 


Attachment  of  money  due  to  Claes  Gerritsz  by 
Broer  Cornelis. 

Willem  Fredericksz  caused  Cornelis  de  Vries  to  be 
summoned. 

Rutger  Adriaensz   caused   Claes   Cornelisz   to  be 
summoned. 

Evert  Pels  and  Marten  Hendricksz  acknowledge 
their  signatures  to  the  note,  one  dated  March  14, 

1 650,  amounting  to fl.  2200  :- 

the  other  the  1 5th  ditto,  in  the  sum  of .    fl.     200  :- 
[Interest?]    fl.       96:- 


For  expenses 


fl.  2496:- 
5:8- 


Total  due   fl.  2501  :8- 

In     addition,     Marten    has    received 

personally 35 :— 


fl.  2536:8- 
[Two  lines  destroyed.] 

[88]  to  pay  the  third  part  within  one  month  after  the  date  hereof 
and  the  balance  in  February  of  the  year  1652. 

Thomas  Chamber  complains  that  Adriaen  Dircksz  from  Bil * 
refuses  to  serve  out  his  term  and  wastes  and  neglects  his  time, 
claiming  to  be  free,  contrary  to  the  contract  signed  by  him,  dated 
March  24,  1651. 

Adriaen  Dircksz  acknowledges  his  signature  to  the  contract. 
He  says  that  he  does  not  want  to  stay  with  Thomas  Chamber,  to 
whom  he  is  bound. 

For  the  maintenance  of  good  order  and  justice  and  to  curb  the 
refractory  spirit  and  intolerable  insolence  of  the  indented  servants, 


lft   Bildt,  in  Friesland? 


164 

it  is  adjudged  that  Adriaen  Dircksz  shall  de  facto  be  taken  into 
custody  by  the  officer  and  for  the  space  of  fourteen  days  be  kept 
on  bread  and  water  at  his  own  expense  and  that  Thomas 
Chamber  may  at  the  expense  of  said  Adriaen  hire  another  servant 
to  take  Adriaensz  Dircksz's  place. 

Jochem  Wessels  requests  a  lot  to  build  thereon  and  to  support 
himself  by  baking.  Granted  on  condition  that  he  contracts  to 
[one  or  two  lines  destroyed]. 

[88v]  Claes  Gerritsz  says  that  the  director  used  violence 
against  him. 

The  director  demands  once  more  that  Claes  Gerritsz  within 
a  short  time  satisfy  the  judgment  against  him,  or  pay  the  damages 
specified  in  the  complaint  and  give  security  therefor,  or  have  his 
person  taken  into  custody.  Likewise,  as  to  the  fines,  that  he 
give  security  or  be  placed  in  confinement. 

[The  defendant  is]   to  make  answer  on  the  next  court  day. 

Claes  Gerritsz  declares  here  before  the  court  that  Ruth 
Jacobsz  did  not  know  of  the  judgment  of  August  20,  1 650,  as 
the  man  says. 

Court  proceedings,  October  5  Anno  1 65 1 

Citations : 

Claes  Cornelisz  cited  by  Rutger  Adriaensz 

Claes  Teunisz,  Teunis  Cornelisz  and  Jan  Michielsz  cited  by 
£kW      the  director  in  regard  to  question  arisen  between  Rutger 
Adriaensz  and  Claes  Cornelisz 

As  to  the  defamation,  Rutger  shall   [  ] 

provided  that  according  to  the  debt  Claes  pay  to  Rutger 
[  ]  one  beaver  [  ]  according  to 

[  i 

[About  two  lines  burned  off.] 


Court  Minutes,  /  648-1 652  165 

[89]  This  is  the  account  between  Rutger  and  Claes: 

Claes  debit  to  Rutger  Credit 

One  beaver  for  a  fur  This  is  paid  according 

cap fl.  8 :  -          to   agreement  about 

For  two  citations 1:4          a  wagon fl.    . 

And  the  [extract  from  and  according  to  debt.        1  :    1 

the]  minutes -:12 


fl.  9:16 


fl.     1:    1 


Remains  [to  be  paid]  fl.  8:15      cum  expensis. 

Jan  Michielsz  acknowledges  that  he  owes  the  patroon  fl.  85. 

The  director  asks  judgment  against  him  and  interest,  all  cum 
expensis. 

Jan  Michielsz  is  condemned  to  pay  the  eighty-five  guilders 
promptly  within  two  months  after  date. 

Teunis  Cornelisz  cited  for  the  third  time  to  pay  the  sum  of 
fl.  1000,  with  interest,  according  to  valid  account. 

It  is  maintained  that  he  must  purge  himself  of  his  defaults  and 
give  security  before  he  can  be  heard  and  that  then  judgment 
ought  to  be  given  against  him,  cum  expends. 

The  court,  per  superabundance,  grants  a  fourth  and  per- 
emptory citation. 

Claes  Gerritsz  having  been  ordered  by  the  court  to  make 
answer  this  day  and  having  remained  in  default,  said  Claes  Ger- 
ritsz is  ordered  once  more,  peremptorily,  within  the  space  of 
eight  days,  to  satisfy  the  judgment  demanded  by  the  plaintiff,  to 
wit,  to  state  precisely  how  much  he  has  traded  each  year  and  to 
pay  the  damages  mentioned  in  the  aforesaid  complaint,  under 
penalty  of  judgment  by  default,  and  to  bind  his  person  and 
property  as  security  for  the  judgment,  without  prejudice  to  the 
director's  further  claims  and  demands. 

[89v]  Through  the  mediation  and  upon  the  persistent  request 
of  certain  petitioners,  Adriaen  Dircksz,  a  prisoner,  is  this  day, 


166  Colony  of  Rensselaerswycfy 

the  seventh  of  September,  graciously  released  from  confinement, 
on  condition  that  he,  Adriaen  Dircksz,  promises  to  perform  his 
duties  faithfully  and  in  all  obedience,  without  in  any  wise  acting 
sullenly,  or  opposing  his  master  in  whose  service  he  is,  and  to 
serve  out  his  bounden  time,  under  penalty  of  double  punishment, 
as  the  case  may  deserve,  all  cum  expensis. 

October  12  Anno  1651 

Jan  Baerentsz  having  asked  the  court  for  an  extension  of  his 
lease  on  account  of  the  excessive  expenses  incurred  on  his  farm, 
we,  having  noted  his  diligence  and  the  good  progress  made  by 
him  and  considering  such  persons  to  be  extremely  useful  here, 
have  consented  to  have  his  lease  prolonged  or  extended  for  the 
period  of  four  or  six  years,  at  his  option. 

[90]   Extraordinary  session,  October  18  Anno  1651 

Whereas  Rutger  Jacobsz  has  more  than  once  urgently 
requested  to  be  discharged  from  his  office  of  magistrate  (Gerechts 
Persoori)  and  presented  the  reasons  which  move  him  to  do  so, 
we,  desiring  to  oblige  him  in  the  matter,  have  to  fill  his  place  and 
office  first  urged  Monsr.  Johan  Baptista  van  Rensselaer  to  allow 
himself  to  be  prevailed  upon  to  take  his  place  and  finally  obtained 
his  honor's  consent  thereto.  In  confirmation  of  which  his  honor 
has  by  handshake  with  the  director  and  with  the  approval  of  the 
commissioners  (gecommitteerden)  been  confirmed  and  installed 
in  said  office. 

Which  I  certify, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

On  the  date  above  written,  Adriaen  from  Alckmaer  has 
agreed  that  for  a  certain  house  standing  to  the  north  of  Fort 
Orange,  heretofore  built  by  a  savage  named  den  Uyl,1  through 
pressure  brought  to  bear  upon  us  by  virtue  of  their  superior 


The  Owl.     His  Indian  name  was  Stichtigeri. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  167 

strength,  he,  Adriaen,  would  pay  yearly  one  beaver  to  the  agents 
of  the  honorable  patroon  and  the  co-directors,  submitting  himself 
hereby  to  the  court  and  the  laws  of  the  colony.     In  witness  of 
the  truth,  this  is  signed  by  Adriaen  aforesaid  with  his  own  hand. 
By  me,  ADRIAEN  PlETERSZ  VAN  ALCKMAER 
Which  I  certify, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 
The  lease  commences  at  Easter  of  this  year,  1 65 1 . 

[90v]   Court  proceedings,  October  19,   1651 

Thys  Baerentsz  admits  his  debt  shown  on  folio  43  of  the 
"  Book  of  Monthly  Wages,"  amounting  to  three  hundred  and 
forty-one  guilders,  fourteen  stivers,  whereupon  the  director 
demands  judgment  against  him,  with  the  accrued  interest. 

Thys  Baerentsz  is  granted  a  delay  of  six  weeks  in  which  to 
make  payment,  under  penalty  of  execution. 

Thomas  Keuningh  being  cited  by  the  director  to  pay  for  the 
half  of  a  bull,  amounting  to  the  sum  of  fl.  35  in  beavers,  toward 
which  fl.  1 0  is  credited  to  him,  the  director  asks  that  he  be  con- 
demned to  pay. 

Thomas  Keuningh  is  ordered  to  pay  within  the  space  of  one 
month  after  this  date. 

As  to  the  question  which  has  arisen  between  Jochem,  the  baker, 
and  Jacob  Luyersz,  it  is  ordered  that  Jacob  Luyerse  shall  imme- 
diately fulfil  his  contract  with  Jochem  and  that  each  of  them 
shall  produce  his  evidence  as  to  the  difference  between  them  on 
Thursday  next,  on  which  day  they  are  this  day  summoned  to 
appear. 

Jan  Michielsz  having  heretofore  been  summoned  to  pay 
fl.  251,  is  ordered  .  .  .  [two  lines  destroyed]. 

[91]  Gillis  Fonda  earnestly  requests  permission  to  support 
himself  by  distilling  liquor  in  the  Greenen  Bos,  in  the  house 
belonging  to  Evert  Pels,  next  to  the  brewery.  His  request  is 


168  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvycfy 

granted  on  condition  that  he  enters  into  a  contract  in  regard  to 
the  duties  to  be  paid  to  the  honorable  masters. 

Extraordinary  session,  October  21   Anno   1651 

Resolved  and  therefore  ordered  and  decided  that  all  the 
inhabitants  of  this  colony  residing  round  about  and  near  the  vil- 
lage (byeefflVGoninge)  shall  be  held  on  Thursday  next,  being 
the  26th  of  this  month,  to  make  ready  at  their  expense  to  cut 
down  the  underbrush  in  the  thicket  behind  the  fort,  from  there 
to  the  third  kill,  along  the  hill,  and  to  remove  said  underbrush, 
each  one  for  himself,  in  order  to  prevent  many  accidents  and 
inconveniences,  in  the  interest  of  all. 

[91v]  Court  proceedings  held  on  October  26  Anno  1651 

Whereas  on  the  last  court  day,  as  a  special  favor,  it  was 
proposed  that  Claes  Gerritsz  submit  the  differences  between  him 
and  the  director  to  the  decision  of  impartial  men  and  whereas 
the  appointed  day  has  now  arrived,  the  parties  have  agreed  to 
refer  their  question  to  neutral  persons,  two  to  be  appointed  by 
each,  on  condition  that  if  the  authorized  agents  can  not  agree, 
the  former  claims  shall  remain  intact  and  that  the  decision  must 
be  rendered  peremptorily  within  the  space  of  eight  days. 

Jochem,  the  baker,  and  Jacob  Luyersz,  cited  by  the  director. 

Jacob  Luyersz  declares  that  Jochem  struck  him  with  a  piece 
of  wood,  which  blow  he  warded  off  with  his  arm.  Also,  that 
he  had  a  biscuit  knife  in  his  hand,  with  which  he  threatened  him, 
Jacob,  in  the  house  of  Hendrick,  the  baker,  and  that  he  called 
him  a  dog. 

Jochem  declares  that  Jacob  drew  a  knife  on  him  first. 

Claes  Cornelisz  admits  that  he  owes  Tys  Baerentsz  one  hun- 
dred guilders  to  date,  and  no  more. 

pint  default  yj^  director  and  Gerrit  Vasterick  have  cited  Evert 
Pels. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  169 

[92]  Court  proceedings,  November  2  Anno  1651 

Dirck  van  Schelluyne,  appearing  before  this  court  as  the 
attorney  and  the  authorized  agent  in  the  case  of  Michiel  Jansz, 
has  first  of  all  exhibited  and  produced  in  court  his  appointment 
and  commission  as  a  notary,  dated  April  8  Anno  1650,  which 
being  carefully  examined  and  read  by  us  is  found  to  be  duly, 
firmly  and  bindingly  authenticated  in  the  name  of  their  High 
Mightinesses  by  the  honorable  secretary  Cornelis  Mus *  and  con- 
firmed by  the  signatures  of  their  High  Mightinesses  aforesaid,  so 
that  we  properly  recognize  him  as  such. 

Cryn  Cornelisz  and  Hans  Jansz  from  Rotterdam  requesting 
permission  to  erect  a  saw  mill  on  a  certain  kill  situated  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  a  little  north  of  Beeren  island,  their  request 
is  granted  on  the  same  conditions  as  other  mills,  provided  they 
submit  themselves  to  the  government  and  judicature  of  this 
colony. 

[92v]  Aert  Otterspoor  having  been  summoned  by  Jan,  the 
smith,  about  defamation,  says  and  declares  before  the  honorable 
court  that  if  he  has  slandered  said  Jan  (which  he  does  not 
know),  he  is  sorry.  Cum  expenses. 

The  compensation  for  expenses  is  fixed  by  the  court  at  three 
guilders. 

[93]   Extraordinary  session,  November  4  Anno  1651 

The  honorable  court  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  having 
seen  and  examined  and  carefully  considered  all  the  documents 
in  the  proceedings  carried  on  between  Director  Brant  van 
Slichtenhorst,  as  plaintiff,  on  one  side,  and  Michiel  Jansz,  as 
defendant,  on  the  other  side,  with  the  continuation  thereof  by 
Notary  Dirck  Schelluyne,  as  attorney,  have  adjudged  and 
decided,  as  they  hereby  do  adjudge  and  decide,  that  the 
defendant,  or  his  sureties  in  the  matter,  shall  tender  and  pay  to 


1  Cornells   Musch.      The  commission  is  printed  in  Documents  relative 
to  the  Colonial  History  of  the  State  of  New  York,  1  =384. 


1 70  Colony  of 

the  honorable  plaintiff  the  sum  of  two  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
fifty-four  guilders,  and  eleven  stivers,  the  receipt  of  which,  clear, 
by  balance  of  accounts,  the  defendant  (as  appears  by  his  signa- 
ture), has  acknowledged  in  court.  The  just  half  thereof,  that  is, 
fourteen  hundred  and  seventy-seven  guilders  and  five  stivers, 
eight  pence,  the  defendant,  or  his  sureties,  are  ordered  to  pledge 
within  the  space  of  six  weeks  after  the  date  hereof. 

Likewise,  for  three  horses  received  by  him,  which  the 
defendant  took  with  him  at  his  departure  [from  the  colony], 
valued  at  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  guilders  and  ten  stivers  each, 
amounting  to  the  sum  of  four  hundred  and  sixty-nine  guilders,  ten 
stivers,  the  defendant,  or  his  sureties,  are  ordered  to  pledge  the 
amount  aforesaid  as  above. 

As  to  any  further  lawful  claims  which  the  defendant  may  have 
aside  from  the  liquid  assets  mentioned  in  his  aforesaid  account, 
he  is  once  more  ordered  to  present  proof  thereof  before  the  first 
of  May  anno  1 652,  under  penalty  of  judgment  by  default,  and 
in  case  upon  examination  by  the  court  said  claims  are  found  to 
be  properly  proven,  they  will  be  credited  to  the  defendant's 
account. 

Furthermore,  the  defendant  is  condemned  in  the  sum  of  thirty 
guilders  for  the  costs  of  this  extraordinary  session. 

Done  in  the  colony,  this  4th  day  of  November  anno  1 65 1 . 
By  order  of  the  honorable  court, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

[93v]  Court  proceedings,  November  9  Anno  1651 
[Blank  space.] 

Extraordinary  session,  November   10  Anno    1651 

The  honorable  director  and  Claes  Gerritsz  having  heretofore 
chosen  Mr  Johannes  Dyckman  and  Monsr-  Dirck  Schelluyne  as 
arbitrators  on  the  part  of  the  director  and  Andries  Herbertsz  and 
Willem  Fredericksz  as  arbitrators  on  the  part  of  Claes  Geritsz, 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  171 

they  on  this  day,  the  date  above  written,  appeared  to  settle  the 
differences  between  them  and  in  view  of  the  limited  powers  of  the 
arbitrators  have  jointly  and  severally  agreed  and  contracted  to 
settle'  all  the  questions  and  differences  which  have  thus  far  arisen 
between  them  out  of  court  and  to  place  them  entirely  [94]  into 
the  hands  of  the  aforesaid  arbitrators,  on  condition  that  each 
party  shall  waive  all  right  of  exception  or  whatever  may  in  any 
wise  conflict  with  the  full  power  of  attorney  given  by  him,  under 
penalty  if  either  of  the  principals  should  violate  this  agreement 
or  object  to  the  decision  or  award  of  the  arbitrators  of  forfeiting 
the  sum  of  seventy-five  guilders  to  the  poor ;  for  the  fulfilment  of 
which  they  bind  themselves  according  to  law.  But  with  this 
exception  and  reservation  that  if  the  authorized  agents  can  not 
agree  or  compose  the  differences,  that  then  all  former  judgments 
and  writings  regarding  the  aforesaid  differences  shall  stand  and 
remain  intact.  In  witness  whereof  the  principals  have  confirmed 
and  ratified  these  by  their  signatures.  Done  in  the  colony  of 
Rensselaerswyck,  the  year  and  day  above  written. 

B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST 

The  mark  X  of  CLAES  GERRITSZ,  made  with  his  own  hand. 

In  the  capacity  aforesaid  the  authorized  agents  have  found  and 
awarded,  as  they  hereby  do  find  and  award,  as  follows: 

As  to  the  forbidden  trade  carried  on  by  Claes  Gerritsz,  he 
shall  pay  therefor  to  the  director  the  sum  of  one  hundred  guilders, 
at  twenty  stivers  apiece,  once,  and  [94v]  no  more. 

Secondly,  as  to  the  unlawfully  traded  furs  and  the  contraband 
goods  found  in  the  possession  of  said  Claes  Gerritsz,  it  is  decided 
that  they  shall  remain  confiscated  and  forfeited  for  the  benefit 
of  the  honorable  director  in  his  official  capacity. 

Finally,  as  to  the  insulting  and  slanderous  remarks  addressed 
by  Claes  Gerritsz  to  the  person  of  the  honorable  director,  it  is 
decided  that  by  way  of  fine  the  said  Claes  Gerritsz  shall  within 
the  space  of  14  days  from  the  date  hereof  turn  over  and  pay 
once  for  all  the  sum  of  twenty  five  guilders  for  the  benefit  of  the 
poor  and  a  like  sum  to  the  honorable  director. 


172  Colony  of 

Furthermore,  he  shall  admit  to  the  director  that  he  did  wrong. 
All  with  the  costs  of  the  extraordinary  session  and  this  arbitration. 
Wherewith  all  the  disputes  which  to  this  date  have  arisen  and 
occurred  between  the  parties  are  finally  disposed  of  and  settled, 
the  parties  on  both  sides  being  for  ever  after  enjoined  from  taking 
any  legal  or  extrajudicial  action  in  the  matter.  Thus  done  by 
the  authorized  agents  on  the  date  above  written.  In  witness 
whereof  they  have  hereto  affixed  their  signatures. 

JOANNES  DYCKMAN 
D.  V.  SCHELLUYNE 

1651 

ANDRIES  HERBERTS 
The  mark  of  X  WlLLEM  FREDERICKSZ,  made  with 

his  own  hand 

[95]  In  accordance  with  the  aforesaid  arbitration,  Claes 
Gerritsz  has  by  handshake,  in  the  presence  of  the  aforesaid 
authorized  agents,  acknowledged  to  the  honorable  director  that 
he  has  done  wrong.  Date  above  written. 

Which  I  certify, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 

Court  proceedings,  November  16  Anno  1651 

The  following  were  cited: 

Hans  first          Hans  Jansz  from  Rotterdam  cited  by  Evert  Pels 
default.  Adriaen  de  Vries  and  Evert  Noldingh  cited  by  the 

honorable  director 
default!* :  Claes  Uylcnspicgel  cited  by  Mr  Dyckman 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Evert  Noldingh, 
defendant. 

Whereas  the  defendant  has  committed  a  criminal  offense  by 
striking  Adriaen  Dircksz  in  the  face  with  a  pair  of  tongs,  thereby 
completely  smashing  his  nose  and  mortally  wounding  him,  without 
any  reason  or  occasion  for  it  in  the  least,  which  serious  crime  in 
a  land  of  justice  may  not  remain  unpunished;  therefore,  the 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  173 

honorable  director  demands  that  he  shall  be  arbitrarily  punished 
and  in  addition  be  condemned  to  pay  a  fine  of  fl.  300,  or  be  put 
to  hard  labor,  according  to  the  ordinance,  cum  expensis.  And 
furthermore,  that  he  shall  give  security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
judgment,  or  be  placed  under  arrest.  [Two  lines  burned  off.] 

[96]  It  is  resolved  and  decided  that  on  every  court  day  the 
bell  shall  be  rung,  in  order  that  every  one  may  know  the  time 
when  the  court  convenes. 

Court  proceedings,  November  23  Anno  1 65 1 
It  is  resolved  and  ordered  that  on  the  28th  of  November  of 
this  year,  being  next  Tuesday,  every  inhabitant  of  this  colony 
shall  take  the  burgher  oath,  according  to  the  formulary.1 
Citations : 

Mr  Dyckman  causes  Claes  Uylenspiegel 2  to  be  cited. 
Claes  Uylenspiegel  —  Cornelis  Cornelisz  van  Voorhout. 
The  honorable  director  —  Jochem,  the  baker. 
Mr  Dyckman  requests  that  the  wages  earned  by  Jan  Weble  3 
be  deposited  with  the  court,  until  proper  liquidation. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Adriaen  Jansz,  schoolmaster,4  the  follow- 
ing apostil  is  entered: 

The  petitioner  is  granted  for  this  current  year,  from  now  on, 
without  thereby  establishing  any  precedent,  in  alleviation  of  his 
house  rent,  out  of  the  emoluments  of  this  colony,  the  sum  of 
fifty  guilders,  once. 

[96v]    Court  proceedings,  November  30  Anno  1651 

The  honorable  director  causes  Jochem,  the  baker,  and  Jacob 
Luyersz  to  be  cited. 

Jan  Michielsz  —  Claes  Uylenspiegel. 


1  For  the  form  of  this  oath  and  the  names  of  the  persons  who  took 
it,   see  O'Callaghan,   History   of  Neiv  Netherland,   2 : 1  76. 

2  Claes  Teunisz,  alias  Uylenspiegel,  meaning  the  wag,  or  joker. 

3  This  name  is  not  identified.     Perhaps  intended  for  Jan  Wemple. 

4  Adriaen  Jansz  van  Ilpendam,  who  on  February  2,   1655,  petitioned 
the  court  of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck  for  the  exclusive  right  to  keep 
day  and  night  school.     He  was  apparently  in  the  colony  on  November 


1  74  Colony  of  Rensselaerstvyclt 

Teunis  Dircksz  cited  and  his  property  attached  at  the  request 
of  the  director. 

Jeuriaen  Bestval  cited  and  his  property  attached  at  the  request 
of  the  director. 

Property  of  Claes  Segersz  attached. 

Property  of  Evert  Pels  attached. 

Property  of  Cornelis  Cornelisz  van  Voorhout  attached. 

This  day,  Mr  Joannes  Dyckman,  assisted  by  Jean  Labatie, 
Jacob  Jansz  Stol  and  Pieter  Ruyverdingh,  delivered  to  the  court 
a  writ  of  appeal  signed  by  the  Honorable  General  P.  Stuyvesant, 
dated  November  20,  1651. 

Jacob  Luyersz  denies  having  drawn  a  knife  on  Jochem,  the 
baker. 

The  court  having  heard  the  parties,  to  wit,  Jochem,  the  baker, 
and  Jacob  Luyersz,  and  having  duly  considered  everything,  con- 
demn the  said  Jochem,  for  striking  [Jacob  Luyersz]  with  a  piece 
of  wood,  to  pay  fl.  10,  and  [the  said  Jochem]  as  well  as  Jacob 
Luyersz  for  drawing  knives,  to  pay  each  a  fine  of  fl.  10. 

Willem  Jeuriaensz  being  asked  in  court  whether  he  is  willing 
to  carry  out  the  contract  entered  into  with  Jan  van  Hoesen,  dated 
January  30,  1 650,  he  answers,  No. 


28,  1 650,  and  was  probably  engaged  as  schoolmaster  not  long  after 
September  9,  1650,  when  the.  court  of  the  colony  passed  the  fol- 
lowing resolution:  "Whereas  the  Honorable  director,  the  commissioners 
and  councilors  of  the  colony  are  earnestly  requested  to  provide  the 
inhabitants  with  a  competent  schoolmaster  and  to  appoint  one,  and 
recognizing  the  need  thereof  and  that  such  appointment  would  tend  to 
the  uplift  of  a  well  ordered  republic;  therefore,  having  duly  considered 
the  same,  we  have  in  the  first  place,  of  our  own  free  will  chosen  and 
appointed  as  curators  and  commissioners  for  the  building  of  a  suitable 
school,  the  securing  of  a  voluntary  contribution  from  these  inhabitants 
thereto,  and  the  supervision  and  administration  and  authority  over  the 
same,  their  honors,  Monsr.  Arent  van  Curler  and  Goossen  Gerritsen, 
who  are  hereby  authorized  thereto  and  also  voluntarily  accept  the  same. 
Done  in  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck,  this  9th  day  of  September  Anno 
1650.  (Signed)  B.  v.  Slichtenhorst,  A.  de  Hooges,  Rut  Jacobsem.  A. 
van  Curler,  and  the  mark  X  of  Goossen  Gerritsz,  made  with  his  own 
hand.  ("Leases  and  Contracts,"  1648—52,  p.  19,  Rensselaerswyck 
Mss.) 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  175 

[97]   Court  proceedings,  December  7  Anno  1651 

The  following  citations  were  made: 
Jacob  Aerts  caused  to  be  cited      Evert  Pels 
The  honorable  director  Jochem  Kettelheym 

Willem  Jeuriaensz 
Jeuriaen  Bestval 
Evert  Pels 
Teunis      Dircksz      and 

Kees    Schoester,1    on 

the  part  of  the  minor 

children  Jacob  Aertsz,  wagoner 

Mr  Dyckman  Corn.  Cornelisz  van  Voorhout 

Jacob  Aertsz,  acknowledging  his  debt  for  the  purchase  of 
goods  belonging  to  the  estate  of  Cornelis  Maesz,  deceased, 
amounting  to  the  sum  of  fl.  65 : 1 2 :8,  is  ordered  promptly  to  pay 
the  aforesaid  money  with  the  interest  thereof  at  the  rate  of  one 
penny  in  sixteen  to  be  reckoned  from  Shrove  Tuesday  1649. 

Jeuriaen  Bestval  and  Jochem  Kettelheym  are  hereby  per- 
emptorily and  strictly  ordered  promptly  to  pay  the  arrears  of 
money  next  Thursday,  or  to  furnish  two  sufficient  sureties,  or,  in 
default  thereof  to  go  to  debtor's  prison. 

Willem  Jeuriaensz  acknowledges  his  signature  affixed  to  the 
contract  dated  May  7,  anno  1638. 

[97v]  December  1  1 ,  anno  1 65 1 ,  the  director,  on  account  of 
the  crime  committed  [by  Huybert  Jansz],  attached  all  the 
money  in  the  hands  of  Monsr.  van  Curler  which  is  due  to  Huy- 
bert Jansz  by  Monsr.  van  Curler. 

Court  day  held  on  December  14,  1651 

The  7th  ditto,  [the  director?]  caused  to  be  cited  the  guardians 
of  the  children  of  the  late  Cornelis  Maessen; 


1  Cornells  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck,  one  of  the  guardians  of  the  minor 
children  of  Cornelis  Maesz  van  Buren.  See  Van  Rensselaer  Borvier  M$s, 
p.  181. 


1  76  Colony  of  RensselaerswycJt 

Default     also,  Claes  Segersz,  Jeunaen  Bestval  and  Jan  Reyersz. 
Default     ditto,  pieter  Bronck  had  Aert  Otterspoor  cited 

Default     ditto,  Aert  Otterspoor Jan  van  Bremen 

Default     Gysbert  aende  Berch  and  Claes,  his  brother 
Default     Jochem  Kettelheym  and  Jeuriaen  Bestval 

Aert  Jacobsz  and  Cornells  Teunisz,  as  surety  for  the  aforesaid 
Aert  Jacobsz,  cited  to  acknowledge  or  deny  their  signatures 
affixed  to  the  contract  dated  August  16,  anno  1649. 

Jan  Reyersz  admits  the  debt  for  goods  received  from  the 
estate  of  the  late  Cornelis  Maessen.  Is  therefore  condemned  to 
pay,  the  same  as  others. 

The  director  attached  fl.  500  in  the  hands  of  Jan  Reyersz, 
due  to  Ryck  Rutgersz. 

Aert  Jacobsz  and  Cornelis  Teunisz  acknowledge 
Thls  their  signatures  affixed  to  the  aforesaid  contract  and 

wa»  read  to        Aert,  or  the  surety,  is  condemned  to  pay  within  six 
Aert  Jacobsz       weeks  the  two  years'  rent  due  for  the  years  1 649 

1    rf"1 

!?    .  r  and  1650  according  to  the  contract,  under  penalty 

Teunisz  on  & 

ihe  21st  of  execution,  [98]  and  the  remaining  rent  next 

dltto-  Easter  anno  1 652,  Aert,  or  his  surety  being  likewise 

condemned  to  pay  this. 

The  director  has  notified  Aert  Jacobsz  of  the  cancellation  of 
the  lease  of  the  nearest  farm  at  Bethlehem,  heretofore  occupied 
by  him,  with  order  to  leave  the  same  next  spring,  anno  1652, 
unless  he,  or  his  surety,  promptly  turn  over  and  pay  the  arrears 
of  rent,  tithes,  recognitions,  etc.,  according  to  the  contract. 

Aert  Jacobsz  and  Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck  cited  to 
appear  on  the  2 1  st  of  December  anno  1 65 1 . 

Court  proceedings  held  the  21st  of  December  Anno  1651 

Whereas  Hendrick  Westerkamp,  contrary  to  the  published 
ordinance,  on  the  18th  of  this  month  had  Jan  Baerentsz  and 
Claes,  the  Brabander,  haul  firewood,  and  Hendrick  admits  hav- 
ing been  warned  by  Jan  Baerentsz,  after  which  he  had  four  more 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652  177 

sleigh  loads  hauled,  he  [and  the]  drivers  are  condemned  accord- 
ing to  the  ordinance. 

]  Febm-  Whereas  Jan  Baerentsz  and  Jan  Reyersz  corn- 
notice  was  plain  that  Claes  Andriesz  troubles  them  about  some 
served  on  money  which  he  claims  to  be  due,  they  are  hereby, 

persons  under  penalty  of  the  lord's  highest  fine,  enjoined 

B.  v.  Slich-        and  forbidden  from  troubling  each  other  any  more, 
orst'  without  prejudice  to  each  person's  rights. 

Director 

[98v]  Court  proceedings,  January  4  Anno  1652 

Cited  at  the  request  of  the  director: 
Ryck  Rutgersz 
Kees  Schoester 

Lucas,  the  brother-in-law  of  Jan  Thomas 
Aryen,  the  servant  of  Cornelis  Vos 
Gysbert  aenden  Berch 
Claes,  his  brother 

Ryck  Rutgersz  acknowledges  his  debt  on  folio  76  of  the 
director's  book,  amounting  to  fl.  944,  whereupon  the  director 
demands  judgment  against  him,  without  prejudice  to  any  further 
claims  or  right  which  Ryckgert  may  have. 

The  court  orders  Ryck  Rutgersz,  if  he  has  any  counter  claims, 
to  produce  them  within  the  space  of  fourteen  days  and  after 
previous  and  proper  inspection  of  them  to  liquidate  accounts  and 
furnish  sufficient  sureties  for  the  payment,  or  els^  to  go  to  debtor's 
prison. 

This  was  read  to  Ryck  Rutgersz. 

Whereas  Claes  Cornelisz,  being  the  servant  and  brother  of 
Gysbert  aende  Berch,  last  year,  on  a  Sunday,  came  to  the  house 
of  the  director  and  in  a  spiteful  tone  said  that  he  "  would  get  his 
pay  "  from  Gysbert,  even  if  the  director  and  the  gentlemen  of 
the  court  were  standing  by,  which  actually  did  happen  and  can 
not  be  tolerated  in  a  land  of  justice,  the  honorable  plaintiff  con- 
cludes that  the  guilty  party  is  therefor  in  die  highest  degree  liable 


1  78  Colony  of  Rensselaer  sivy  elf 

to  arbitrary  punishment,  as  an  example  to  others,  irrespective  of 
his  right  to  recover  what  is  due  to  him,  all  in  conformity  with  the 
former  ordinances  and  the  plaintiff's  duty,  cum  expensis. 

Gysbert  Cornelisz  admits  that  he  has  taken  some  grain  for  his 
brother  Claes  and  delivered  it. 

Gysbert  acknowledges  his  indebtedness  in  the  sum  of  fl.  1981 , 
as  per  folio  44  of  the  director's  book,  but  as  to  the  fl.  540  for 
the  number  of  morgens  received  he  claims  that  it  is  sufficient  for 
him  to  make  restitution  at  the  expiration  of  the  lease  according 
to  appraisal. 

[99]  The  court  order  Gysbert  aenden  Berch,  if  he  has  any 
counter  claims  to  make  with  reference  to  the  fl.  1 98 1 ,  or  other 
accounts,  to  produce  them  without  fail  within  eight  days  after 
this  date  and  then  after  previous  and  proper  examination  to 
liquidate  accounts  and  furnish  sufficient  sureties  for  the  payment 
or  go  to  debtor's  prison. 

It  is  decided  that  a  copy  of  the  director's  complaint  shall  be 
handed  to  Cornells  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck  to  make  answer 
thereto  on  next  Thursday  and  to  furnish  sureties  for  the  satis- 
faction of  the  judgment. 

The  director  concludes  that  whereas  Lucas,  the  brother-in-law 
of  Jan  Thomasz,  and  Aryen,  the  servant  of  Cornelis  Vos,  on  the 
yacht  of  Willem  Albertsz  have  beaten  said  Willem  over  the 
head  till  he  bled,  knocking  off  some  pieces  of  skin,  they  have  each 
forfeited  the  sum  of  fl.  25,  for  which  they  must  give  security. 

It  is  resolved  that  the  heavy  cannon  belonging  to  the  honorable 
masters,  being  two  in  number  and  lying  in  the  fort,  shall  from 
there  be  brought  back  to  the  colony. 

If  is  agreed  that  Steven  Jansz  shall  receive  his  wages  at  fl.  20 
a  month,  clear,  and  that  he  shall  not  be  charged  for  board  at 
the  places  where  he  has  worked. 

Whereas  Claes  Cornelis,  the  brother  of  Gysbert  aende  Berch, 
in  spite  of  the  prohibition  and  arrest,  has  taken  and  appropriated 
to  himself  some  grain,  in  contempt  of  this  honorable  court,  and 
in  addition  has  heretofore  used  these  insulting  words,  namely, 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  179 

that  '*  he  would  get  it,  even  if  the  director  and  the  other  gentle- 
men were  standing  near,"  which  is  intolerable  in  a  land  of  justice, 
he  is  condemned  to  pay  a  fine  of  fl.  [  ] ,  for  which  he  is  to 
furnish  sureties,  the  ordinances  remaining  in  force.  Cum 
expensis. 

[In  the  margin  is  written:]   This  sentence  was  rendered  on 
January  11,1 652,  and  entered  here  by  mistake. 

[99v]   Court  proceedings,  January  11  Anno  1652 
Citations : 

Teunis  Cornelisz 
Willem  Albertsz 

Lucas,  the  brother-in-law  of  Jan  Thomasz 
Adriaen,  his  mate 
Gysbert  aende  Berch 
Claes,  his  brother 

Willem  Albertsz   says  that  he  was  beaten  by   Lucas  first, 
before  he  took  the  sword  from  its  place. 

What    Teunis    Cornelis    acknowledges    he 
owes  according  to  folio  74  of  the  director's 

book,  amounts  to  the  sum  of fl.    1 280 : 1 1  :— 

His  credit  account  as  above  amounts  to..          fl.     616:15:12 


So  that  he  remains  indebted fl.     663 : 1 6 : 1 2 

For  counter  claim  on  account  of  incon- 
venience of  the  house,  hauling  logs,  etc.,  is 
deducted  .  fl.  100:- 


Balance  to  be  paid fl.     563:16:12 

Except  the  straw  and  the  four  beavers  paid  on  account  of  the 
patroon  for  covering  the  hay  barrack. 

Whereas  Teunis  Cornelisz  at  the  afofesaid  liquidation  of 
accounts  asks  permission  to  pay  the  aforesaid  sum  in  instalments, 
permission  is  granted  him  to  pay  the  money  promptly  in  three 


180  Colony  of 

payments,  the  first  one  month  from  this  date,  the  second  a  month 
later  and  the  third  likewise  after  one  month,  making  in  all  a 
period  of  three  months,  payment  to  be  made  in  good  currency  or 
merchandise  within  the  space  of  1 4  days,  for  which  he  is  to  bind 
himself  and  furnish  sureties,  under  penalty  of  execution. 

[100]  Robbert  Vasterick  offers  himself  as  surety  for  Lucas, 
the  brother-in-law  of  Jan  Thomasz,  and  his  comrade  Aryen,  in 
the  actions  brought  against  them  to  this  day  by  the  honorable 
director  in  the  matter  of  Willem  Albertsz,  namely,  on  account 
of  the  fight. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Cornelis  Teunisz  van  Westb[roeck]  the 
following  apostil  is  given:  The  petitioner  is  granted  a  delay  of 
eight  days,  provided  he  give  security  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
judgment  before  instituting  his  defense.  Done  in  the  colony  of 
R:Wyck,  this  llth  of  January  1652.  Was  signed:  To  my 
knowledge, 

A.  de  Hooges,  Secretary 

Court  proceedings,  January   18,   1652 

The  honorable  director  caused  to  be  cited: 
Tys  Baerentsz 
Robbert  Vasterick 
Willem  Albertsz 
Hans  Jansz  from  Rotterdam 

Tys  Baerentsz  being  cited  with  reference  of  the  judgment  of 
October  19,  1651,  is  once  more  and  peremptorily  ordered  and 
commanded  to  pay  the  money  mentioned  therein  within  one  month 
after  this  date,  under  penalty  of  being  put  upon  the  limits,  or  to 
give  security  therefor, 

Hans  Jansz  from  Rotterdam  denies  that  he  fought  with  Jacob 
Plodder,  much  less  that  he  drew  a  knife. 

Upon  the  complaint  of  Evert  Pels  and  in  view  of  the  ordinance 
of  November  16,  1 65 1 ,  on  account  of  lost  time  and  abuse  and 
contempt  of  court,  Hans  Jansz  from  Rotterdam  is  condemned 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  181 

to  pay  a  fine  of  twenty  guilders,  without  prejudice  to  the  claim 
of  Evert  Pels. 

The  court  having  considered  the  complaint  of  the  honorable 
director  against  Willem  Albertsz,  on  the  one  side,  and  Lucas, 
the  brother-in-law  of  Jan  Thomasz,  and  Aryen,  the  servant  of 
Cornelis  Vos,  on  the  other  side,  and  heard  the  parties  and  the 
witnesses,  have  condemned  Willem  Albertsz  and  Lucas  afore- 
said each  to  ...  [one  or  two  lines  destroyed]. 

[  1  OOv]  Ryck  Rutgersz  is  once  more  ordered  to  comply  with 
the  ordinance  of  January  4,  1652,  under  the  penalty  as  above. 

Jan  van  Hoesen  is  from  this  date  granted  the  lot  of  Willem 
Jeuriaensz,  provided  that  he,  Willem,  shall  remain  in  his  house 
as  long  as  he  lives  or  the  occasion  requires. 

Cornells  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck  offers  his  house  and  effects 
as  security  for  the  judgment  in  regard  to  the  complaint  of  the 
honorable  director. 

Court  proceedings  held  on  January  25  Anno  1652 

Upon  the  petition  of  Evert  Pels,  containing  a  request  for  the 
lot  next  to  the  garden  of  Gysbert,  the  tavernkeeper,  it  is  decided 
as  follows: 

1   The  petitioner's  request  for  the  lot  and  horse  mill  is  granted. 

Gysbert  [aende  Berch]  is  authorized  to  draw  [logs]  for  the 
petitioner  during  eight  days,  but  not  to  use  any  mares. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Reyer  Elbertsz,  praying  that  he  may  be 
permitted  to  burn  brick,  it  is  decided  to  make  the  following 
apostil:  The  petitioner  is  granted  permission  to  try  if  it  will 
succeed,  in  which  case  a  formal  order  on  the  subject  will  be 
made,  but  that  the  place,  etc.,  will  be  shown  him. 

Whereas  heretofore  a  lot  was  granted  to  the  poor  in  full 
ownership,  next  to  the  lot  of  Sander  Leendersz,  it  is  decided  that 
the  same  shall  .  .  .  [one  or  two  lines  destroyed]. 

[101]  2  Jeuriaen  Teunisz,  glazier,  is  granted  a  lot  between 
Gysbert  Cornelisz,  the  tavernkeeper,  and  the  land  of  Thomas 


182  Colony  of 

Jansz,  which  will  be  shown  to  him,  provided  that  the  lease  is  to 
commence  next  Easter. 

The  honorable  director  having  represented  that  Dirck  Jansz 
is  bound  to  submit  to  the  court  an  invoice  of  the  goods  imported 
by  him  into  the  colony  and  the  court  finding  that  much  trouble 
may  arise  from  such  importations,  it  is  resolved  and  decided  that 
Dirck  aforesaid  shall  [be  required  to]  take  the  burgher  oath 
and  that  the  house  which  was  built  by  Harmen  Bastiaensz  and 
the  said  Dirck  shall  be  transferred  to  Dirck's  name,  on  condition 
that  he  enter  into  a  contract  and  pay  the  duties  to  the  honorable 
masters. 

Jochem  Wesselsche,  baker,  is  hereby  expressly 
265januar  ordered  and  commanded  within  the  space  of  eight 
days  from  this  date  to  have  the  lumber  and  the  hog- 
pen lying  and  standing  on  the  lot  of  Jan  van  Hoesen  removed 
from  said  lot  to  the  lot  assigned  to  him,  under  penalty  of  having 
the  director  order  it  done  at  their  expense  and  to  his  profit. 
Likewise,  the  said  Jochem,  his  wife  and  the  members  of  the 
family  are  strictly  enjoined  from  assaulting,  molesting  or 
troubling  Jan  van  Hoesen  or  his  family  in  any  way  by  word  or 
deed,  under  penalty  of  fifty  guilders,  in  addition  to  the  ordinary 
fine.  The  same  injunction  is  issued  to  Jan  van  Hoesen  and  family 
with  regard  to  Jochem  Wesselsche. 

[101v]  Court  proceedings,  February  1  Anno  1652 

Citations : 

By  the  director: 

Jochem  Wesselsz  and  his  wife 
Tys  Baerentsz 
By  Pieter  Bronck: 
Paulus  Thomasz 

Paulus  Thomasz  admits  that  he  owes  Pieter  Bronck 
fl.  165:16. 

Pieter  Bronck  asks  judgment  and  security  for  the  payment. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  183 

Paulus  Thomasz  being  asked  in  court  by  the  honorable 
director  on  what  conditions  he  and  Jan  van  Bremen,  Pieter 
Teunisz,  Compeer  1  and  others  were  to  take  up  and  possess  the 
land  promised  to  them  at  Catskil,  answers  that  they  were  to  use 
the  land  for  ten  years  free  from  any  taxes,  but  that  at  the 
expiration  of  the  ten  years  they  were  to  pay  tithes,  whereupon 
they  took  the  oath  of  fidelity  before  and  to  Mr  Dyckman. 

The  above,  Paulus  Thomas  declares  by 
handshake  and  on  the  truth  of  a  man, 
instead  of  under  oath,  before  the  director, 
to  have  thus  taken  place. 

[102]  Mr  Johannes  Dyckman,  appearing  in  court  with  the 
request  that  he  may  be  permitted  to  have  as  much  timber  cut  and 
hauled  as  will  be  necessary  for  a  new  house,  his  request  is  granted. 

3  Jan  Baerentsz  Wemp  requesting  permission  to  have  a  lot 
next  to  the  palisades,  north  of  Thomas  Jansz,  on  condition  that 
the  lease  shall  commence  at  Easter  anno  1653,  his  request  is 
granted  provided  that  the  lot  shall  be  pointed  out  to  him  and 
that  he  must  contract  like  others. 

Whereas  Jan  Baerentsz  aforesaid  requests  that  the  half  of 
the  increase  of  the  cattle  may  belong  to  him  in  full  ownership, 
as  mentioned  in  his  contract,  it  is  resolved  and  decided  to  let  him 
have  the  same. 

4  Hendrick  Reur  is  granted  the  lot  next  to  that  of  Jeuriaen, 
the  glazier,  on  condition  that  he  shall  make  a  contract  like  others, 
the  lease  to  commence  Easter  anno  1653. 

5  Steven  Jansz  is  granted  the  lot  next  to  Hendrick  Reur. 
The  lease  commences  Easter  anno  1653. 

6  Jacob  Simonsz  Klomp  is  granted  the  lot  next  to  Steven 
Jansz.     The  lease  commences  Easter  anno  1653. 

7  Marten  Hendrick  Verbeeck   [is  granted  the  lot]   next  to 
Jacob  Simonsz.   The  lease  commences  as  hereinbefore  stated. 
He  shall  support  himself  by  brewing. 


1  Thomas  Higgins. 


184  Colony  of 

[102v]  Whereas  the  honorable  director  on  the  one  side  and 
Jan  Thomasz  and  Volckert  Hansz  on  the  other  side  by  way  of 
compromise  have  heretofore  referred  their  mutual  differences  to 
the  decision  and  award  of  the  honorable  guardians  in  the  father- 
land l  and  to  this  date  have  received  no  information  or  decision, 
the  parties  hereby  mutually  release  each  other  from  the  aforesaid 
compromise,  their  difference  remaining  in  the  same  state  as  before 
and  intact,  just  as  if  no  submission  [to  the  guardians]  had  taken 
place. 

Court  proceedings,  February  8  Anno  1652 

Cited  by  the  director: 

Ruth  Jacobsz,  about  payment  or  restitution  of  64  schepels  of 
wheat. 

Thomas  Sandersz,  smith. 

Pieter,  the  Frenchman*. 

The  honorable  director,  plaintiff,  against  Thomas  Sandersz, 
smith,  and  Pieter,  the  Frenchman,  defendants. 

Whereas  on  the  first  day  of  February  of  this  year  they  pre- 
sumed to  fight  with  each  other  with  knives,  with  the  result  that 
Thomas  aforesaid  was  wounded  in  his  left  arm,  the  honorable 
director  concludes  that  each  of  them,  by  virtue  of  the  ordinance, 
has  incurred  the  penalty  of  fl.  300,  for  which  they  are  to  be  put 
on  the  limits. 

[  1 03  ]  Peremptory  order  is  issued  by  the  court  that  both 
parties,  Thomas  Sanders  as  well  as  Pieter,  the  Frenchman,  must 
present  their  evidence  by  Thursday  next. 

Mr  Dyckman  proposes  the  question  whether  the  gentlemen 
of  the  court  did  not  promise  him  copies  of  the  deeds  of  purchase 
and  conveyance  of  this  colony? 

Answer :   Yes. 

Asks:  Why,  then,  they  were  not  exhibited? 

Is  informed  that  an  answer  thereto  was  given. 

Mr  Dyckman,  having  a  placard  from  the  Hon.  Director 
General  Petro  Stuyvesant,  proposes  to  post  the  same  in  the  fort 


1  Meaning  the  guardians  of  Johannes  van  Rensselaer,  the  young  patroon. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  185 

as  well  as  in  the  colony.  Says  also  that  he  will  show  authority 
thereto  from  their  High  Mightinesses  and  the  Company. 

The  honorable  director  first  requests  a  copy  to  examine  it. 

Mr  Dyckman  asks  and  requests  permission  to  publish  and  post 
the  placard  in  the  colony. 

The  honorable  director  again  answers,  No. 

Mr  Dyckman  says  that  he  will  ask  it  once  more  and  that  then 
.  .  .  [blank]. 

[  1 03v]  *  Extraordinary  session,  February  9  Anno  1 652 

Whereas  on  February  8,  1652,  Mr  Johannes  Dyckman, 
accompanied  by  five  persons  and  his  assistant  appeared  before 
the  full  assembly  and  there  with  much  circumstance  explained 
his  instructions,  reading  among  other  things  a  placard  of  the  Hon. 
General  Petro  Stuyvesant  and  the  Council  of  New  Netherland 
regarding  certain  claims  to  some  ground  around  Fort  Orange, 
and  first  asked  us  for  permission  to  post  this  placard  in  the  colony 
and  then,  when  according  to  our  duty  this  was  refused,  assured 
us  among  other  things  that  such  was  the  order  of  their  High 
Mightinesses,  therefore,  [be  it  known,]  that  we  shall  first  calmly 
await  the  order  of  their  High  Mightinesses  aforesaid  and  that  in 
case  of  refusal  or  lack  of  remonstrance  [on  their  part]  we  shall 
in  honor  and  by  virtue  of  our  oath  be  bound  to  protest  against  all 
damage,  mischief  or  injury  which  may  result  therefrom. 

And  in  case,  contrary  to  our  expectation,  without  the  approval 
of  their  High  Mightinesses  aforesaid,  any  placards  should  be 
posted  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  colony,  [we  promise]  that 
any  person  who  shall  tear  them  down  shall  at  the  expense  of  the 
honorable  masters  be  released  from  all  costs,  loss  or  damage. 

B.  v.  SLICHTENHORST,  Director  of  the 

colony  of  Rensselaerswyck 
A.  DE.  HOOGES,  Secretary 
A  VAN  CURLER 
J.  B.  [VAN  RENSSELAER] 


1  In  the  margin  is  written :    A  copy  hereof  was  shown  to  Mr.  Johannes 
Dyckman  on  Feb.  26,  1652. 


186  Colony  of 

[  1 04]  The  honorable  court  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck, 
by  virtue  of  the  agreement  dated  September  28,  anno  1650, 
request  Mr  Johannes  Dyckman  in  all  amity  and  friendship, 
according  to  the  tenor  of  the  agreement  just  mentioned,  to  restore 
the  three  cannon  belonging  to  the  honorable  masters.  Done  in 
collegia,  this  9th  day  of  February  Anno  1652.  Was  signed: 

B.  V.  Slichtenhorst,  Director 

of  the  colony 
A.  de  Hooges,  Secretary  and 

Commissioner 
A.  van  Curler 
J.  B.  V.  Rensselaer 
Jan  Verbeeck 

Whereas  Harmen  Bastiaensz  has  the  lumber  for  a  house  ready 
at  the  place  assigned  to  him  and  in  view  of  the  placards  lately 
posted  by  the  Company  is  reluctant  to  proceed  with  the  building; 
the  more  so  as  Mr  Dyckman  on  the  date  underwritten  has  for- 
bidden him  to  do  so,  therefore  the  director  hereby  releases  him 
from  all  demonstrable  loss  or  damage  which  he  may  suffer  on 
that  account.  Done  in  Rensselaerswyck,  this  9th  of  February 
Anno  1652.  Was  signed: 

B.   V.  Slichtenhorst,   Director  of  the 
colony  of  Rensselaerswyck 

[104v]   Extraordinary  session,  February  12  Anno  1652 

Arrested  and  cited  by  the  director  to  appear  in  court  this  day, 
at  9  o'clock  in  the  forenoon: 

Jan  Dircksz  van  Bremen  and 

Pieter  Teunisz  van  Brunswyck 

The  parties  having  failed  to  appear  after  their  names  had 
been  legally  called,  the  first  default  is  given  against  them. 

The  honorable  director  asks  that  a  second  and  a  third  per- 
emptory summons  be  issued  to  appear  on  Thursday  next. 

The  court  rules:  Fiat. 

Monsr.  Arent  van  Curler  and  Monsr.  Johan  Baptist  van 
Rensselaer  attest  at  the  request  of  the  director  that  Jan  Dircksz 


Court  Minutes,  / 648-1 652  187 

van  Bremen  on  December  27  Anno  1651,  in  their  presence, 
acknowledged  his  signature  to  the  contract  made  with  the  honor- 
able director  and  the  commissioners  on  the  18th  of  January  of 
the  year  aforesaid. 

Court  proceedings,  February  1 5  Anno  1 652 
Cited  by  the  director  are: 

The  court,   for 

reasons,  has  at  their          pieter  Teunjsz  and ,  2d  and  3d  peremptory 

request  granted  them 

8  days'  delay.  Jan  van  Bremen      J  summons 

First  default. 

f  Teunis  Dircksz 

Second  default,  "i      T~>       in 

I  Kyck  Kutgersz 

The  court  messenger  reports  that  according  to  his  warrant  he 
served  the  second  and  third  peremptory  summons  on  Jan  van  Bre- 
men and  Pieter  Teunisz  and  that  they  accepted  them,  but  replied 
that  they  could  not  appear  on  this  day,  [but  would  appear]  a 
week  from  this  date. 

[  1 05  ]  Mr  Johannes  Dyckman,  assisted  by  Master  Abraham 
Staas,  Jacob  Jansz  Stol,  Jan  Labatie  and  Pieter  Ruerdingh, 
assistant,  appearing  after  proper  request  for  admittance,  has 
handed  in  two  placards,  addressed  to  the  Commander  and  those 
of  the  jurisdiction  of  Rensselaerswyck,  one  of  the  27th  and  the 
other  of  the  29th  of  January  1652,  and  signed  Andreas  Johannis 
Christman,  Clerk.  Also  an  extract  from  the  Resolution  Book  of 
the  Hon.  Director  General  and  Council  of  New  Netherland, 
of  Monday,  January  29  Anno  1 652. 

Also  the  answer  to  our  request  for  restitution  of  the  honorable 
masters'  cannon,  dated  February  15,  1652,  and  signed  Johannes 
Dyckman,  Abram  Staas  and  Jacob  Jansz  Hap. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Thomas  Sandersz  it  is  decided  as  follows : 
For  reasons  set  forth  in  the  petition  and  in  order  to  be  accom- 
modating the  honorable  court  have  upon  his  petition  reduced  the 
amount  of  the  fine  to  thirty  guilders. 

Whereas  the  question  between  the  honorable  director  and 


188  Colony  of 

Jan  Thomasz  has  been  pending  in  court  for  a  long  time  and  no 
response  or  decision  has  been  received  from  [the  honorable 
guardians  in]  the  fatherland  to  whom  the  case  was  referred,  the 
parties  absolutely  submit  themselves  to  [the  decision  of]  four 
arbitrators,  of  whom  each  side  is  to  choose  two,  two  to  be  taken 
from  the  court  and  two  from  outside  the  court,  to  whom  they 
leave  the  matter  completely. 

The  honorable  director  chooses  from  the  court,  Monsr-  J.  B. 
v.  Rensselaer,  Monsr-  van  Curler  is  chosen  by  them  both.  Jan 
Thomasz  chooses  from  the  court,  Pieter  Hartgers. 

[105v]  Court  proceedings,  February  22  Anno  1652 

Delivered  to  Mr  Dyckman  an  extract  from  the  deed  of  con- 
veyance of  the  colony  dated  August  6,  Anno  1 63 1 . 

Also,  a  copy  of  the  grant  by  their  High  Mightinesses  to  dis- 
pose of  the  fief  [by  will],  dated  February  5,  Anno  1641. 

Mr  Dyckman  having  once  more  proposed  the  question 
whether  we  would  consent  and  approve  to  have  the  aforesaid 
placards  posted  and  published,  the  honorable  director,  in  the 
name  of  the  board,  has  answered:  "  In  no  wise,  as  long  as  I 
have  a  drop  of  blood  in  my  body,  unless  you  show  me  first  an 
authorization  from  their  High  Mightinesses  or  our  honorable 
masters." 

First        Pieter  Jacobsz  ^1 


Johan  Labatie  °n  behalf  °f  the  direct°r 

Director  Slichtenhorst,  plaintiff,  against  Jan  Labatie  and 
Pieter  Jacobsz,  defendants. 

The  honorable  plaintiff,  by  virtue  of  the  agreement,  demands 
restitution  of  the  patroon's  cannon,  loaned  in  good  faith,  or  else 
claims  damages  in  the  amount  of  fl.  225  for  each  piece  plus  law- 
fyl  damages,  because  the  plaintiff  paid  the  board  and  wages  of 
Master  Steven  and  Andries  de  Vos  in  making  the  gun  carriages 
and  to  give  security  therefor  or  submit  to  civil  arrest. 


1  In  the  margin  is  written :  A  copy  hereof  was  shown  to  Mr.  Johannes 
Dyckman  on  Feb.  26,   1652. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  189 

[106*   2d  and    pieter  Teunisz 

id  citations   and  i-Cltcd 

failure  to  appear    Jan  van  Bremen  J 

This  is  added 

here  by  order          They  are  therefore  declared  contumacious  and 

of  the  honorable    .      .  .  .  .  i          i    r       i          11         i 

court,  the  18th    judgment  is  given  against  them  by  derault,  all  sub- 
December  Anno  jecj-  to  proper  accounting. 

1653. 

Court  proceedings,  February  29  Anno   1652 

Interrogatories  drawn  up  for  the  examination  of  Gerardus  van 
Wencom,  Hendrick  Jansz  Reur  and  Jan  Bastiaensz 

The  honorable  director  asks  the  above  named  persons  whether 
they  do  not  recollect  having  seen  on  the  8th  of  this  month  that 
when  Mr  Dyckman,  accompanied  by  five  persons  and  his 
assistant,  appeared  before  the  court,  he  brought  with  him  into  the 
middle  part  of  the  house  three  soldiers,  who  were  fully  armed, 
namely,  with  their  side  arms,  two  carrying  muskets  with  lighted 
fuses  and  one  carrying  a  snaphance? 

The  deponents  jointly  declare  as  stated  in  the  foregoing 
article. 

Director  Slichlenhorst  protests  and  complains  of  violence  com- 
mitted by  Mr  Dyckman's  soldiers  on  New  Year's  eve  in  having 
several  times,  contrary  to  the  ordinance,  shot  burning  fuses  on 
the  roof  of  the  patroon's  house  and  also  on  the  house  of  the 
director,  which  is  covered  with  thatch,  so  that  the  fore  part 
of  the  house  seemed  ablaze  and  the  director's  son,  in  the  intense 
cold,  was  moved  to  spring  naked  out  of  bed  to  extinguish  several 
papers,  and  having  therefore  endangered  not  only  the  honorable 
masters'  house,  property  and  papers,  but  more  particularly  some 
people's  lives.  .  .  .  [about  two  lines  destroyed]. 

[106v]  Secondly,  the  aforesaid  director  complains  and  pro- 
tests about  great  and  notorious  violence  and  maltreatment 
received  by  his  son  on  New  Year's  day  last  past  at  the  hands  of 
Mr  Dyckman  and  his  soldiers,  who  suddenly  grabbed  him  by 
the  hair  and  at  the  same  time  struck  him  on  the  forehead  so  that 
he  fell  down  and  in  the  presence  of  the  aforesaid  Dyckman  not 


190  Colony  of 

only  beat  him  black  and  blue,  but  dragged  him  through  ttie  mud 
and  mire  and  treated  him  inhumanly  as  if  he  were  a  criminal, 
yes,  struck  his  children  with  their  guns  and  threatened  to  shoot 
them,  but  were  prevented  from  doing  so.  And  that  without  any 
reason  or  occasion  therefor  in  the  least,  so  that  from  this  cruel 
abuse  of  power  a  massacre  might  easily  have  resulted.  And  he, 
Dyckman,  encouraged  his  soldiers  in  their  evil  work,  while  they 
thus  inhumanly  treated  the  director's  son  and  his  children,  by 
calling  out  aloud:  "Beat  him  now  and  may  the  devil  take 
him!  " 

Likewise,  the  aforesaid  director  complains  and  protests  about 
violence  committed  by  Mr  Dyckman  in  coming  on  the  8th  of 
February  1 652  with  his  six  persons  and  three  soldiers,  armed  with 
guns  with  lighted  match  and  side  arms,  at  the  time  that  the  court 
was  in  session,  into  the  house  of  the  honorable  masters  and  into 
another  man's  jurisdiction,  of  which  the  director  was  informed 
and  had  knowledge  only  after  the  court  had  adjourned.  And 
whereas  no  one  has  a  right  to  enter  another's  jurisdiction  by  force 
of  arms  [107]  except  with  the  previous  consent  of  the  officer  or 
the  commissioners  of  the  court,  this  tends  not  only  to  the  dis- 
paragement of  the  court,  but  also  of  the  authority  of  our  supreme 
government,  which  is  likewise  represented  here. 

Furthermore,  the  director  complains  and  protests  against  the 
insults  offered  by  Mr  Dyckman  on  the  8th  ditto  in  bringing  his 
assistant  and  the  aforesaid  persons  into  the  court  and  ordering 
him  to  sit  down  at  the  table  and  to  make  a  note  of  everything  that 
he,  Dyckman,  proposed,  against  which  Director  Slichtenhorst 
expressly  protested,  refusing  to  suffer  it  in  any  way  and  ordering 
him  to  get  out,  as  he  did.  And  afterwards,  the  aforesaid  Dyck- 
Iman  again  made  him  come  in,  against  the  aforesaid  protest  and 
the  order  of  the  director,  so  that  violence  prevailed  over  justice. 


1  [In  the  margin  is  written:]  And  when  Dyckman  was  told  that  the 
scandalous  treatment  of  the  director's  children  would  be  avenged,  the  said 
Dyckman  ordered  his  gunner,  Pieter  Jacobsz,  to  load  his  pieces  with 
[ball] ,  saying  that  they  would  fire  through  the  director's  house,  as  the 
said  gunner  himself  confessed  to  the  director  and  is  well  known  to  every 
one. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  191 

[107v]  Citations: 

The  honorable  director  causes  Rutger  Jacobsz  and'  Jacob 
Jansz  to  be  arrested  in  the  colony  and  to  be  cited  to  appear  on 
the  22d  of  this  montH  on  account  of  the  crime  committed  against 
the  person  of  Albert,  the  carpenter. 

23d  ditto.  Jan  Thomasz  causes  Claes  Uylespiegel  to  be 
arrested  and  cited. 

Jan  Thomasz  claims  that  Claes  Teunisz  owes  him  fl.72. 

Claes  Teunisz  admits  the  debt  as  above. 

Jan  Thomasz  asks  judgment  or  security  for  the  amount  afore- 
said. 

Claes  Teunisz  promises  by  handshake  before  the  director  to 
pay  the  aforesaid  fl.  72  in  good  faith  to  Jan  Thomasz  within  the 
space  of  five  weeks  after  this  date,  binding  thereto  his  person  and 
property,  according  to  law,  for  which  he  will  give  a  note  in  due 
form. 

r  Jacob  Jansz  Stol  and 

First  default  J  .-.  T         , 

1  Kutger  J  acobsz 

This  day  the  director  gave  notice  to  Adriaen  Huybertsz  that 
he  must  leave  his  farm  on  the  first  of  May  next. 

[108]    Extraordinary  session,  March  2  Anno  1652 

Information  taken  by  the  director  about  Claesje,  a  negress, 
being  the  slave  of  Sander  Leendersz,  accused  of  theft. 

She  declares  that  she  stole  the  following  goods  from  her 
master  and  gave  them  to  the  following  persons : 

To  Jan  Michielsz 
He  gave  her  an  Two  white  blankets,  taken  by  him  from  the 

old  undershirt 
and  promised  her 

a  new  one  and  1  bundle  of  bar  lead,  which  he  took  himself 

a  cap  with  lace.  r   .1  11 

out  or  the  cellar 

2  bundles  of  combs,  taken  by  him  from  the 
room 


192 


Colony  of  RensselaersTvycf? 


Catalyn  Sanders 
denies  that  she 
loaned  any  candles 
to  him  and  adds 
that  he  said  that 
the  negress  stole 
them  from  her 
and  brought   them 
to  her. 


o  ,,      I  He  admits  this,  but  says 

3  or  4  candles  [      .  . 

A      .     ,          „     •{  twice  three,  which  she 

Again  D  candles     .         ... 

1  brought  him. 

The  negress  declares  that  Jan  Michielsz 
drew  his  knife  and  forced  her  to  give  him 
the  lead  and  also  asked  for  mackerel  and 
beef. 
Also  to  Jacob  Luyersz,  as  follows: 

3  yards  of  red  cloth.     He  promised  to  take 

her  to  the  Manhatans  and  that  she  would 

then  get  a  husband. 
1  tub  of  butter,  taken  by  him,  saying  that  he 

bought    it    from    her    master,    adding: 

*  Your  mistress  knows  about  it." 
8  bars  of  lead 
Also  a  handkerchief  full  of  butter,  fetched 

by  him  on  condition  that  shq  should  take 

it  to  the  Manhatans. 


She   also   declares 
that  with  tears  in 
his  eyes  and  folded 
hands  he  begged  her 
two   or   three   times, 
saying:      "  My    dear 
Catalyntje,    forgive 
me    the   wrong   I   have 
done  you." 
He   also    prayed   de 
Hoges   to  come  sometime 
to  console  him,  as  at 
times  he  had  a  hard 
struggle   and    suffered 
great  temptations. 
This  took  place  at 
the  house  of  Jan 
Verbeeck  . . .  house, 
on  a    ...    afternoon 
. . .     [five  or   six 
words  destroyed] . 


[108v]   Court  proceedings,  March  7  Anno   1652 
Cited  at  the  request  of  the  director: 

First 
default 

Claes  Braebander  l  and  his  servant 

Rutger  Jacobsz 

Claes  Gerritsz 

Aert  Jacobsz 

Kees  Schoester  2 

Goossen  Gerritsz 


1  Claes  Jansz  from  Bockhoven,  in  Brabant. 

2  Cornells  Teunisz  van  Westbroeck. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  193 

Jan  Michielsz  say  that  those  who  bring  the  aforesaid  charges 
against  him,  lie. 

The  director  demands  bail  to  the  action  against  Jan  Michielsz 
within  the  space  of  eight  days. 

Jan  Michielsz  offers.to  go  to  prison  in  lieu  of  bail. 

Jacob  Luyersz  admits  that  the  negress  showed  him  a  cap,  but 
denies  that  he  gave  her  the  cap.  He  acknowledges  that  the 
negress  openly  accused  him  in  the  presence  of  Jacob  Jansz 
Stol  and  Philip  Pietersz  Scheuler.1  He  says  that  he  had  no  rea- 
son for  taking  the  cap  out  of  the  negress'  hands  or  for  putting  it  in 
his  pocket,  except  that  he  was  dejected  in  spirit. 

The  director  demands  bail  as  in  the  case  of  Jan  Michielsz. 

Jacob  Jansz  Stol  declares  that  the  negress  in  his  presence  said 
to  Jacob  Luyersz  that  he  had  given  her  the  cap  in  order  that  she 
should  keep  still  about  the  butter. 

[109]2  Whereas  Claes  Jansz  van  Bockhoven,  contrary  to 
the  ordinance  of  October  16,  1648,  renewed  on  November  23, 
1 65 1 ,  out  of  spite,  against  the  special  prohibition  of  the  director, 
had  his  servant,  for  whom  he  is  responsible,  draw  [wood]  for 
Lambert  van  Valckenburch,  he  is  condemned  to  pay  at  once, 
according  to  the  ordinance,  three  guilders  for  each  load.  Actum 
in  Collegia,  on  the  date  above  written. 

Present : 

Claes  Jansz  has  satisfied  this  judgment  Director   B.   V.   SHchtenhorst 

in  the  sum  of  sixteen  guilders  and  ten  .  O      1 

stivers,    for    which    the    director    issued  A.  Van  Curler 

and  signed  a  receipt  on  the  date  above  J.  B.  Van  RenSSelaer 

Jan  Verbeeck 
Pieter  Hertgers 
To  my  knowledge, 

A.  DE  HOOGES,  Secretary 


1  Philip  Pietersz  Schuyler. 

2 The  following  lines  are  cancelled  at  the  top  of  the  page:  Claes  the 
Braebander  says  that  he  will  pay  the  full  fine,  if  he  gets  a  certificate  signed 
by  the  entire  court,  which  he  says  he  will  then  send  to  Mr.  Stuyvesant. 

7 


194  Colony  of  Rensselaersrvyck 

Having  seen  the  replication  of  the  director  against  Cornelis 
Teunisz  van  Westbroeck,  the  same  is  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
opponent  to  make  answer  thereto  without  fail  within  two  weeks 
after  this  date. 

[109v]   Court  proceedings,  March  14  Anno  1652 

Cited  by  the  director :    Claes  Gerritsz. 

Pieter  Hertgerts  causes  Teunis  Dircksz  to  be  cited. 

Goossen  Gerntsz  causes  Jacob  Lambertsz,  shoemaker,  to  be 
cited. 

Teunis  Dircksz  releases  and  discharges  Pieter  Hertgerts  from 
his  obligation  as  surety  for  the  patroon's  interest  as  to  the  purchase 
of  the  brewery  in  the  Grenen  Bos. 

Extraordinary  session,  March  1 6  Anno  1 652 

Hendrick  Westerkamp  says  that  at  the  request  of  Commissary 
J.  Dyckman  he  made  an  affidavit  concerning  the  former  brick- 
yard, a  little  south  of  the  first  kill,  in  which  he  declared  that  the 
same  belonged  to  the  company  and  that  they  had  a  small  house 
there. 

Extraordinary  session,  March  1 9  Anno  1 652 

Whereas  Johannes  Dyckman,  commissary  of  Fort  Orange, 
and  his  adherents  by  forcible  means  have  ventured  to  enter  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck  and  to  erect  [three] 
several  boundary  posts,  without  serving  notice  thereof  on  the 
court,  the  court  messenger  is  ordered  to  demand  in  the  presence 
of  the  accompanying  witnesses  [110]  by  what  order  and  author- 
ity Mr  Dyckman  has  undertaken  to  commit  this  trespass  on  the 
colony.  And  in  default  of  any  authority  from  their  High  Might- 
inesses, we  are  in  honor  and  by  virtue  of  our  oath,  in  the  name  of 
our  honorable  masters,  bound  to  have  the  said  posts  removed  and 
taken  away  from  their  places,  protesting  before  God  Almighty 
and  their  High  Mightinesses  aforesaid  against  the  trespass  and 
public  violence  that  has  been  committed  and  demanding  reparation 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  195 

of  all  loss  and  damage  and  calamities  which  have  already  resulted 
or  may  hereafter  result  therefrom. 

Sent  to  Mr  Dyckman :     A  copy  of  the  above  resolution. 
Secondly,   a  short  memorandum  and  deduction,  dated 

March  19,  1652. 
Thirdly,  an  answer  to  the  positive  questions  of  March  16 

and  18,  1652. 

The  court  messenger  reports  that  he  delivered  the  aforesaid 
writings  to  Mr  Dyckman  in  the  presence  of  Sander  Leendersz 
and  Jan  Thomasz,  requested  to  act  as  witnesses  thereto,  and  that 
he  replied  that  he  would  answer  them  this  evening. 

[llOv]  Court  proceedings,  March  21   Anno  1652 

Upon  the  petitions  of  Jan  Michielsz  and  Jacob  Luyersz  it  is 
resolved : 

Serves  for  apostil:  The  negress  of  Sander  Leendersz  first 
made  known  or  gave  publicity  to  the  matter,  whereupon,  being 
examined  by  us,  she  declared  as  is  known  to  the  petitioners,  to 
which  declaration  they  are  hereby  referred. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Thomas  Chamber  it  is  resolved: 
Serves  for  apostil:     The  petitioner  shall  receive  what  is  due 
him  according  to  the  contract. 

Extraordinary  sessions,  March  22  Anno  1 652 

By  the  director  the  following  were  summoned  to  appear  before 
the  court: 

Sander  Leendersz 

Catalyn  Donckesz,  his  wife 

Egbert  Dojesz,  their  servant 

Catalyn  and  Egbert  declare  that  Commissary  Dyckman  on 
March  21 ,  [1 652] ,  came  to  the  house  of  Sander  Leendersz  and 
asked  whether  the  [negress  was]  theirs?  Answered,  Yes. 
Whereupon  he  answered:  '  [She  must  go  with  me  to  the  Fort; 
she  has  slandered  [honest]  people  and  the  case  is  not  [being 


196  Colony  of  Rensselaersivyclt 

prosecuted."]  Catalyn  replied:  "Not  without  the  consent  of 
my  husband."  The  commissary  said:  "  I  shall  make  her  come 
and  have  soldiers  get  her."  Thereupon  Sander  [111]  was  asked 
to  come  home  by  his  servant,  being  at  that  time  at  the  house  of 
Willem  Fredericksz.  Coming  home,  Sander  Leendersz  asked 
Commissary  Dyckman  what  he  wanted?  He  said  he  wished  to 
take  the  negress  with  him.  Sander  Leendersz  asked:"  For  what 
reason?  "  The  commissary  replied:  "  Because  she  has  slandered 
honest  people  and  the  case  is  not  prosecuted."  Sander  Leendersz 
said:  "  Monsr-  Dyckman,  not  this  evening,  but  come  to-morrow, 
we  shall  then  see  what  we  can  do."  Whereupon  Monsr-  Dyckman 
angrily  replied:  "If  you  refuse  me,  I  have  the  power  to  take  you 
and  your  wife  and  your  whole  family  and  to  ruin  your  house  and 
to  shoot  it  to  pieces,  for  you  dwell  on  the  Company's  ground." 
Whereupon  Sander  answered:  "  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  you; 
I  can  not  give  allegiance  to  another  lord  before  I  am  released 
from  the  first."  The  commissary  said:  '*  Wait,  wait,  until  Mr 
Stuyvesant  comes  up  the  river;  then  I  will  teach  you  differently." 
Sander  replied :  '  When  Mr  Stuyvesant  comes  up  the  river,  I 
may  perhaps  have  as  much  right  as  you  have."  Whereupon  the 
commissary  drew  his  rapier  and  threatened  to  run  said  Sander 
through,  so  that  Sander  in  defending  himself  was  stabbed. 
Thereupon  the  commissary  went  to  the  fort.  Sander  Leendersz 
declares  also  that  the  same  day  he  was  by  order  of  Commissary 
Dyckman  summoned  by  Huybert  de  [Guyt]  to  come  to  the  fort 
[  1 1 1  v] .  On  entering  the  fort,  Sander  Leendersz  said:  "  Good 
morning  Monsr-  Dyckman,  what  is  your  pleasure?"  Whereupon 
he  answered:  "  I  arrest  you  here  in  the  fort.  I  understand  that 
you  have  two  commissions."  Sander  replied:  'That  is  true, 
in  fact,  I  have  three  of  them,  one  from  Mr  Kieft,  deceased,  one 
from  Mr  Stuyvesant  and  one  from  the  honorable  masters  of  the 
colony."  They  jointly  declare  by  true  words  and  handshaking 
with  the  honorable  director,  instead  of  an  oath,  that  all  this  took 
place  as  stated.  Dated  as  above. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  197 

March  25  Anno  1652 

Philip  Pietersz  Scheuller  declares  that  Mr  Dyckman  said  to 
him  on  the  20th  of  this  month  that  when  Mr  Stuyvesant  came 
up  the  river  and  he  did  not  care  to  see  it,1  he  should  see  to  it  that 
he  was  not  present,  or  go  down  the  river.  And  Philip  Pietersz 
asking:  Why?,  he  replied  that  he  would  not  have  his  father-in- 
law  very  long  and  that  he,  Dyckman,  had  written  information 
to  that  effect. 

Philip  Pietersz  Scheuller  and  Robert  Vasterick  declare  that 
it  occurred  on  New  Year's  day,  1 652,  that  when,  as  more  fully 
stated  before,  a  soldier  was  scandalously  beating  the  honorable 
director's  son2  and  dragging  him  over  the  ground  in  the  fort  and 
they,  the  deponents,  as  far  as  they  could  were  trying  to  prevent 
it,  the  commissary  [112]  threatened  to  run  them  through  if  they 
dared  to  interfere. 

Catalyn  Donckesz  declares  that  Mr  Dyckman,  on  the  21st  of 
this  month,  said  to  her  at  her  house  that  a  gallows  was  being 
built  for  three  persons  and  that  upon  her  query  for  whom,  he 
replied:  "For  Mr  Slichtenhorst,  his  son  and  J.  B.  van  Rens- 
selaer." 

They,  [the  deponents],  by  handshake  and  true  words, 
instead  of  an  oath,  have  severally  declared  that  the 
above  took  place  as  stated. 

Which  I  certify, 

A.  DE  HoOGES,  Secretary 

March  30  Anno  1652 

The  honorable  director  states  that  he  and  his  son  went  this 
morning  with  the  order  granted  [by  the  court]  to  the  house  of 
Cornelis  Segersz  to  receive  the  outstanding  debt  due  to  the 
honorable  masters,  but  that  Cornelis  Segersz  refused  to  deliver 
it,  yes,  what  is  more,  that  the  loft  door  was  nailed  tight,  about 
which  the  honorable  director  highly  complains  and  protests. 


1  Meaning,    the   arrest,    or    execution,    of    Director    van    Slichtenhorst, 
Schuyler's  father-in-law. 
2Gerrit  van  Slichtenhorst. 


198  Colony  of  RensselaersrvycJt 

[112v]  Extraordinary  session,  March  30  Anno  1652 
This  date  Whereas  Director  Slichtenhorst  by  virtue  of  his 
defendant  office  and  his  oath,  upon  a  warrant  and  order  from 
in  court.  the  honorable  commissioners  v/ent  this  morning  with 
his  people  to  the  house  of  Cornelis  Segersz  to  get  a 
little  grain  from  the  defendant's  loft  in  part  pay- 
ment of  his  large  debt,  offering  to  give  the  defendant  an  acquit- 
tance therefor,  and  the  said  defendant,  contrary  to  the  order, 
refused  to  deliver  the  grain  to  the  plaintiff  and  nailed  the  loft 
door  tight,  so  that  the  plaintiff  was  not  master  of  his  promised 
grain  and  own  ground  and  the  defendant  obeyed  others  more 
than  his  lawful  authorities,  wholly  contrary  to  the  oath  taken 
by  him;  therefore,  the  plaintiff  demands  that  the  defendant  shall 
not  only  be  condemned  to  deliver  his  threshed  grain  within  twice 
24  hours  on  the  plaintiff's  loft,  as  is  customary,  but  that  the 
defendant  shall  remain  under  arrest  until  such  time  as  the 
defendant  has  delivered  to  the  plaintiff  the  threshed  and 
unthreshed  grain,  and  that  in  addition  he  shall  be  arbitrarily 
punished  as  an  example  to  others.  All  cum  expensis  of  this 
extraordinary  session,  of  which  the  defendant  is  the  sole  cause, 
having  treated  the  order  of  the  honorable  court  with  contempt. 
[113]  Cornelis  Segersz  is  hereby  ordered  by  the 
This  I  read  court  within  the  space  of  four  days  after  this  date  to 
Segersz  remove  and  bring  one  hundred  and  fifty  schepels  of 
in  court.  wheat  to  the  loft  of  Gysbert  Cornelisz  from  Weesp, 
under  penalty  of  ten  guilders  for  each  day  that  he 
remains  in  default.  And  the  aforesaid  grain  is  to 
remain  at  the  place  aforesaid  until  the  accounts  on  both  sides 
shall  have  been  delivered  and  judgment  in  the  matter  shall  have 
been  pronounced  by  the  court. 

April  1,  1652,  Sergeant  Daniel  Litschoo  came  by  order  of 
Mr  Stuyvesant  into  the  house  of  the  honorable  masters,  leaving 
14  armed  soldiers  standing  before  the  door,  and  asked  Slichten- 
horst whether  he  was  willing  to  take  down  the  flag?  Whereupon 


Court  Minutes,  /  648-1 652  199 

Slichtenhorst  answered,  No,  and  that  he  had  nothing  to  say  here, 
unless  he  first  showed  authority  from  our  honorable  masters  and 
their  High  Mightinesses.  The  sergeant  replied :  '  Then  I  shall 
get  it."  Against  which  Slichtenhorst  strongly  protested. 

Likewise  it  appears  that  the  sergeant  and  his  14  soldiers, 
armed  with  loaded  muskets,  when  they  were  outside  the  yard, 
fired  out  of  spite  not  only  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  colony, 
but  also  came  within  the  enclosed  place  of  the  honorable  masters 
and  by  force  hauled  down  the  flag  from  the  staff,  against  the 
will  and  consent  of  the  director. 

[113v]  April  9,  1652 

In  accordance  with  the  preceding  resolution  it  is  again  resolved 
that  the  honorable  director,  according  to  the  account  in  Ledger 
No.  F,  folio  12,  shall  pay  to  Adriaen  Huybertsz  three  hun- 
dred and  thirty-four  guilders,  fifteen  and  a  half  stivers, 
(fl.  334-15-8). 

By  order  of  the  honorable  commissioners, 

To  my  knowledge, 

A.   DE  HOOGES 

April  10,  1652 

Pieter  Rywerdingh  having  this  day,  without  asking,  posted  a 
placard *  on  the  honorable  patroon's  house,  the  honorable 


1  According  to  E.  B.  O'Callaghan,  History  of  New  Neiherland,  2:183 
and  J.  R.  Brodhead,  History  of  the  Stale  of  New  York,  \  :535,  this 
placard  was  issued  by  General  Stuyvesant  while  on  a  visit  to  Fort  Orange 
and  contained  a  proclamation  erecting  in  Fort  Orange  a  Court  of  Justice 
for  the  village  of  Beverwyck  and  its  dependencies,  apart  from,  and 
independent  of,  that  of  Rensselaerswyck.  The  text  of  this  proclamation 
has  not  been  preserved,  but  it  is  likely  that  it  was  the  same  proclamation 
as  that  which  under  date  of  April  1  5  is  referred  to  as  having  been  drawn 
up  by  the  director  general  and  council  of  New  Netherland  on  the  8th  of 
that  month  The  minutes  of  the  court  of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck 
show  that  the  members  of  the  newly  created  court  took  the  oath  on  April 
10,  1652,  and  that  the  first  session  of  the  court  was  held  on  April  15, 
the  very  date  of  the  last  entry  in  the  record  of  the  court  of  the  colony 
of  Rensselaerswyck  presided  over  by  Van  Slichtenhorst. 


200  Colony  of 

director  protested  against  it,  whereupon  the  aforesaid  Rywer- 
dingh  answered  that  whatever  came  of  it  the  Hon.  General 
Petrus  Stuyvesant  would  make  good. 

April  15  Anno  1652 

We,  the  undersigned,  declare  that  on  this  date  Pieter  Jacobsz 
tore  down  a  certain  placard  of  the  court  of  this  colony,  which 
was  affixed  to  the  house  of  Gysbert  Cornelisz.1 

This  declare:  Monsr-  J.  B.  van  Rensselaer,  Johan  van  Twiller 
and  Hendrick  Jansz  Reur. 

We  declare  that  on  this  date  Pieter  Ryverdingh,  court  mes- 
senger of  Fort  Orange,  posted  on  the  house  of  the  honorable 
patroon  a  [proclamation] 2  drawn  up  on  the  8th  of  this  month  by 
the  director  general  and  council  of  New  Netherland,  against 
which  a  protest  was  made  by  the  director  of  this  colony,  who 
thereupon  tore  it  down,  as  well  as  the  counterpart  thereof  affixed 
to  the  house  of  Gysbert  aforesaid. 

Attested  by  the  honorable  director, 
Monsr-  J.  B.  van  Rensselaer  and  Hendrick 
Jansz  Reur. 


1  Gysbert  Cornelisz,  the  tavernkeeper. 

2  This  word  is  omitted  in  the  text.     See  preceding  note. 


APPENDIX 

The  following  inventory  of  effects  taken  at  the  house  of  Brant 
Aertsz  van  Slichtenhorst  in  1652,  and  the  debit  and  credit 
account  of  his  administration  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerswyck, 
1648-1650,  form  part  of  the  documents  which  were  submitted 
by  Van  Slichtenhorst  as  exhibits  in  his  suit  against  Johan  van 
Rensselaer  and  the  copartners  of  the  colony.  They  are  bound 
at  the  beginning  of  a  volume  of  about  300  pages,  marked: 
"  N  15.3.3  Renselaer  Ca-  V.  Slichtenhorst,"  which  is  deposited 
in  the  Rijksarchief  in  the  province  of  Gelderland,  at  Arnhem, 
and  which  contains  the  documents  in  the  suit  instituted  by  Van 
Slichtenhorst  in  the  Landgericht  of  the  Veluwe  and  in  the  case 
of  appeal  of  Van  Rensselaer  against  Van  Slichtenhorst  before 
the  Klaarbanfy  at  Engelanderholt. 

Both  documents  are  printed  in  Dutch  as  appendices  XI  and 
XII  to  Mr  G.  Beernink's  biography  of  Dr  Arend  van  Slichten- 
horst and  his  father  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst,  which  forms  No.  1 2 
of  the  Werfyen  of  the  historical  society  "  Gelre." 


I 

INVENTORY 
Copy 

Inventory  of  all  the  effects,  contracts,  bills  of  sale,  both  old 
and  new,  and  the  accounts  of  the  colony  as  to  receipts,  disburse- 
ments and  the  animals,  for  each  year  separately,  of  the  entire 
colony,  which  at  the  time  of  Director  Slichtenhorst's  arrest  in 
the  year  1 652  were"  left  at  the  office  in  the  custody  of  the  young 
patroon  Renselaer  or  afterwards  turned  over  to  him: 

1  Two  tables,  one  in  the  front  room  and  the  second  where 

communion  service  is  held 

2  Two  iron  chains,  or  pothooks 

3  A  baking  trough 

201 


202  Colony  of  Rensse/aersnnjcfc 

4  Two  scales  with  several  weights 

5  Four  old  andirons 

6  Two  curtains,  a  small  rug  before  the  bedstead  and  another 

before  the  fireplace 

7  Three  or  four  old  chairs 

8  A  small  brew  kettle  with  a  narrow  neck,  obtained  in  the 

Greenenbos 

9  A  brass-bound  schepel  measure  in  the  brewery  which  was 

and  still  is  in  the  Grenenbos 

1 0  Some  stones  lying  in  the  yard  which  came  from  Rensselaers- 

teyn 

1 1  A  book  called  de  Inleydinghe  van  de  Hollandsche  rechts- 

geleerdheid  i 

1 3  2  All  the  books  of  Mr  Korler  and  also  of  De  Hoges,  received 

by  the  said  Director 

14  Cornelis  Maessen's  account  and  inventory  of  his  undivided 

estate,  and  the  agreement  [of  the  purchasers?]  that  they 
accept  the  land  at  the  Manhatans  for  the  purchase  money 
1 6 2  Also  the  court  record  and  several   ordinances,   kept  and 
issued  by  Slichtenhorst 

17  An  obligation  of  Roelof  Cornelissen,  for  which  Van  Essen 

is  surety,  of  the  7th  July  1646 

18  An  obligation  of  Dom.  Bogardus,  dated  July  9,  1647 

19  A  writ  of  attachment  of  money  due  to  Broer  Cornelis  by 

Captain  Blaeuvelt 

20  An  obligation  of  Evert  Pels,  dated  May  15,  1650 

21  The  copy  of  the  contract  of  sale  of  the  brewery,  dated 

March  7,  1650 

22  The  inventory  of  Quiryn  Cornelissen's  incumbered  estate 

23  Slichtenhorst's   account   book  of   the   colony,   in   which   he 

settled  with  every  one  in  presence  of  Mr  Renselaer 

24  Slichtenhorst's  account  of  receipts  and  disbursements 


"  Introduction  to   Dutch   Jurisprudence,"    a   famous   book   by   Hugo 
Grotius,  of  which  many  editions  have  appeared. 
2  Items  1 2  and  1  5  do  not  appear. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  203 

25  Copy  of  Slichtenhorst's  contract  with  the  honorable  guardians 

[of  the  young  patroon],  executed  [at  Amsterdam]  on 
November  10,  1646 

26  Two  ordinances  of  Mr  Stuvesand  of  the  year  1652 

27  A  resolution  of  the  Director  and  Council  at  the  Manhatans, 

or  answer  which  Shchtenhorst  and  the  magistrates  of  the 
colony  received  upon  their  petition  for  the  release  of  their 
Director 

28  Declaration   of   Van   Essen l   regarding   the   two   drowned 

horses,  together  with  a  petition 

29  A  blue  blank-book  and  an  arithmetic 

30  A  petition  of  the  colonists,  after  they  had  taken  the  oath  2 
Underneath  was  written :     These  aforesaid  documents  I  have  in 
part  received  from  the  hands  of  Mr  Slichtenhorst  and  I  know 
where  and  in  whose  custody  the  others  are. 

Copy,  marked  K,  among  the  documents  of 
the  suit  of  Brant  van  Slichtenhorst  vs. 
Johannes  van  Rensselaer,  1656-61,  in  the 
handwriting  of  Dr  Arend  van  Slichtenhorst. 

II 

ACCOUNT  OF  RECEIPTS  AND  DISBURSEMENTS  BY  BRANT  VAN 
SLICHTENHORST  AS  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  COLONY  OF  RENS- 
SELAERSWYCK 

1648-1650 
A.     Receipts 

Brant  van  Slichtenhorst,  director  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaers- 
wyck,  debits  himself  with  the  receipt  of  what  the  colony  afore- 
said has  produced  during  the  period  of  his  administration,  as 
follows : 


1  Cornells  Hendricksz  van  Es,  or  van  Nes.     See  minutes  of  the  court  of 
the  colony  of  March  4th,   1649. 

2  Probably  the  oath  taken  on  November  28,    1 65 1 .     See  minutes  of 
November  23,   1651,  in  this  volume. 


204  Colony  of 

1 648  The  grain  received  from  the  Vlackte,  as 
appears  under  A,  amounting  by  bal- 
ance to                                               fl.  115:12:  8 
By   tithes   of   Thomas  Schamber,1    16 

schepels  of  wheat  40: — : — 
1649,  May  1  7  By  amount  assigned  by  me  to 
Jan  van  Bremen,  to  be  paid  by  Peter 

Claes,  as  appears  on  fol.  80  266 :  3 : — 
And    1650   inclusive,   received    from   Rutger 

Jacobs  and  Adryaen  Huybers  895:14: — 

Feb.  8  Received  from  Albert  Andries  6:10:— 
April  27  Delivered  by  Thomas  Jans  32 
schepels  of  wheat,  fl.  80;  also  19 
days'  hauling  for  the  patroon,  at 

fl.  5  a  day,  fl.  95  175:—:- 

Received  from  Teunis  Cornelis  1  72 : 1 5 : — 

Received  from  Cornelis  van  Nes  392 :  6 : — 
May   12  Received  from  the  guardians 
of  the  children  of  the  late  Cornelis 

Maess  463:10 

Received  from  Cornelis  Segers  923 : 1  7 

Received  from  Jan  Verbeeck  150: — 

Received  from  Broer  Cornelis  128: 

Received  from  Evert  Pels  130: — 

Received  from  Jacob  Hevick  20: — 
Received    from    Abraham    Staas    and 

Pieter  Hertgers  758:16:   8 

Sold  two  mill  stones  for  320: — : — 

November  7  Sold  an  old  cow  to  Jan  Labatie  for  70: — : — 

ditto         Sold  an  ox  to  Carel  van  Bruggen  44: — : — 

Received  from  Jan  Hagemans  for  the 

right  to  trade  48: — : — 


Thomas  Chambers. 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  205 

From  Goossen   Gerrits  for   one   year's 

rent  of  the  brewery,  from  May  1 649 

to  May  1650  450:—:- 

For  the  patroon's  dues,  one  guilder  on 

every  tun  330: — : — 

From   Goossen   Gerrits   for   one   year's 

ground  rent  and  right  to  trade,  from 

July    16,    1649,   to  date,    1650, 

received  four  beavers  32: — : — 

Received     from    Cornelis     Cornelissen 

Vos,  as  above,  four  beavers  32: — : — 

From    Cornelis    Teunissen    van    Wijs- 

broeck  for  two  years'  rent  and  fod- 
der, at  3  beavers  a  year  48: — : — 
By  sale  of   16  sheep  to  Mr 

Stuyvesant  fl.   208 

By    an    order    on    Dominus 

Megapolensis  for  the  sale 

of  books  80 

288:—:— 
1648  and  1649 

Sold  to  Hogers  one  cow  for     fl.      66 
Also  2  cows  @  fl.  40  each  80 

Also  2  goats  and  2  lambs  20 

Also    2    window    panes    @ 

fl.  4-1  Ost1  each  9 

175:—:- 
Sold  to  Steven  Jans,   carpenter,   with 

advice,  2  goats  and  2  lambs  for  20: — : — 

By  attachment  of  monies  in  the  hands  of 

Nicolaas  Coorn,  which  were  due  to 

Hans  Vos  51:—:- 

Received  from  Henrick  Backer  30: — : — 

1  Stivers. 


206  Colony  of 

Jan    Thomas    and   Volckert 

Jans   have    furnished    1 1 8 

Ibs.  nails  for  the  barn  of 

Jan  Berents  @   10  st.       fl.    59 
Also     5     rapier     blades     at 

fl.  2-10  each  12:10 

71:10:- 
Sander  Lenerts  has  paid  by  an  order 

on  Andries  Herberts  50: — : — 

Received  from  Steven  Jans, 

carpenter,    98    boards    @ 

16  st.  each  78:  8:- 

14  more  @   18  st.  each          12:12: — 

91:—:— 
For  30  rapier  blades,  which  were  broad, 

rusted    and    not   merchantable,    pre- 
sented to  the  [Indian]  chiefs,  valued 

at  one  guilder  each,  amounting  to  30: — : — 

Received    from    Cornelis    Segers    200 

schepels  of  wheat,  by  attachment  of 

what  was  due  there  to  Adriaen  van 

der  Donck  500:—:— 


fl.     7319:12:— 
B.  Disbursements 

The  following  is  the  account  of  disbursements  out  of  the  afore- 
said funds,  during  the  years  1648,  1649  and  1650 
Paid  to  Dominus  Megapolensis  toward 

settlement  of  his  account  fl.     2997:  8: — 

Paid  to  Hoges  1365:—:- 

For  making  and  covering  a  hay  barrack 
on  the  farm  of  Teunis  Cornelissen,  4 
beavers  32 : — : — 

For  purchase  of  the  kill  called  Papena- 

kick  and  expenses,  disbursed  and  paid  264: — : — 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  207 

The  purchase  and  expenses  of  Kastil 

[Katskil]1  1239:  4:- 

The  purchase  of  Klaverrack  2  amounts  to  653 :  9  :— 

1 648,  August  4  Presented  to  the  chiefs  of  the 

Maquas  of  the  three  castles  125: — : — 

Came  short  on  the  claim  of 

the  Maquas,  anno  1648        fl.     225 
and  anno  1649  100 

325:—:— 
Expenses  incurred  on  account 

of  the  Indians  Anno  1 648  400 

In  the  year   1649  200 

In  the  year  1650  100 

700:—:— 
For  damage  suffered   through  lack  of 

use  of  the  garret  and  the  cellar,  con- 
trary to  my  contract,  and  caused  by 

Vasterick   and  his  family    (de  siin- 

neri)  for  which  compensation  must  be 

made  to  me  300: — : — 

Paid  to  Andries  Herberts  200: — : — 

Paid  to  Frederick  Lubberts  for  freight 

of  ten  barrels  of  lime  28: — : — 

Paid  to  Evert  Duyckingh3  for  window 

panes  44 : — : — 

To   skipper   Reynert   Pieter   Beth    for 

bringing  the  panes  up  the  river  3:10 : — 

Paid   to   Abraham   Pieters,   carpenter, 

for  wages,  counting  in  his  board  138:12 : — 


1  April  19,  1649. 

2  May  27,  1649. 

3  Mr.   Beernink,  p.    1 67,  states  that  Evert  Duyckingh,  at  the  end  of 
his  account,  offered  to  burn  coats  of  arms  or  marks  in  glass.     He  was, 
therefore,  probably  the  man  who  made  the  window  panes  with  the  arms 
of  the  Van  Rensselaer,  Schuyler  and  other  families  that  were  placed  in 
the  church  built  in  1  65  6. 


208  Colony  of  Rensselaerswyck 

Paid   to   Roelandt  Savery   for   setting 

panes  37:  5: — 

Paid  to  Abraham  Staas 

by      order      of      the 

honorable  guardians     fl.   139:  5: — 
Paid  him  on  account  of 

the  patroon  26 : 1 3 : — 

165:18:— 
To  Dirck  Jans,  carpenter,   for  mason- 

workj  including  his  board  9:10 : — 

Paid  to  Hans  Vos  for  his  services  as 

court  messenger  for  about  a  year  and 

for  wages  and  board  790 :   5:12 

Paid  to  Rutger  Jacobs  for  taking  the 

wife  and  children  of  Dominus  Mega- 

polensis  and  their  effects  to  the  Man- 

hatans  20: — : — 

Paid  to  Frederick  Lubbertsen  for  taking 

Dominus  Megapolensis  and  his  son 

and   chest   from   the   colony   to   the 

Manhatans  30: — :— 

Paid  to  Frederick  Lubberts  for    [pas- 
sage of]  the  Dominus  who  had  come 

here  to  hold  divine  service,  etc.  8: — : — 

Paid    to    Steven    Jans, 

carpenter,  for  annual 

wages    until    August 

13,  1650  fl.  544:13:  8 

and  for  board  137: — : — 

681:13:  8 
According  to  resolution  of  the   court, 

dated  November  15,  1649 
To  Jan  de  Kaper  for  bringing  Steven 

Jans,    carpenter,    together    with    his 

wife,  child  and  baggage  up  the  river  20: — : — 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  209 

Paid   to   Jacob    Hey    for 

500    single    [nails]     @ 

fl.  1  :4  the  hundred         fl.     6:— :- 

and  200  double  [nails] 

@  fl.  2:8  4:16:- 

10:16:- 
Paid  to  Adriaen   Bloemaert    100  Ibs. 

double  sunddel    [solder,   or  floor?] 

nails  4  beavers  @  fl.  8  32: — : — 

Paid  to  Jan  Appel  for  70  Ibs.  of  nails 

3  1/2  beavers  28: — : — 

Jan  Appel  has  also  delivered  to  Pieter 
Teunissen  1 0  Ibs.  of  nails,  to  Teunis 
Cornelissen  20  Ibs.  ditto,  together  30 
Ibs.,  for  which  was  paid  12: — : — 

Paid  to  Jan  Labatie,  for  making  a  bak- 
ing trough,  hanging  the  doors  of  the 
court  yard  (plaats)  of  the  patroon, 
and  expenses  7: — : — 

Also  paid  to  Jan  Labatie  for  nails  fur- 
nished to  Jan  van  Bremen  at  Beth- 
lehem, two  beavers  16: — : — 

Paid  to  Nicolaes  Coorn  for  300  nails 

@  fl.  1  :4  the  hundred  3:12:- 

Paid    to    Albert    Andriessen    for    four 

hemlock  timbers  1  : — : — 

Paid  to  Willem  Fredericksen  and  Her- 
man Bastiaens  for  making  two  cots, 
of  which  one  was  spoiled  6: — : — 

Paid  to  Reyer  Stoffels  for  altering  three 

iron  chimney  anchors  and  for  nails  1  :  6: — 

Paid  to  Andries  de  Vos  for  two  days' 
wages  for  work  in  the  cellar  and 
board  7: — : — 


210  Colony  of  Rensselaersrvycfy 

Paid  to  Beernt  Gerrits  for 

8   1/2  days'  wages  for 

work  in  the  cellar  and 

on    the    upper   roof    @ 

fl.  1:10  a  day  fl.    12:15:- 

and    for    8    1/2    days' 

board  8:10:- 

21:   5:- 
To     Jacob     Hevick     for 

15    1/2  days'  labor  in 

the    cellar    @    fl.    2    a 

day  fl.  31:—:- 

and  for  board  15:10: — 

46:10:- 
To    Huybert   Jansz.    for    bringing    69 

schepels  of  oats  on  board  for  Dom. 

Megapolensis    and   to   Carsten   Car- 

stens  for  measuring,  together  2: — : — 

In  1648  and  1649,  until  11  April 

1650,      Thomas     Jansz.      has 

hauled    clay,    dirt    and    lumber 

for  19  days  at  fl.  5  a  day  95 

and  board  19 

114:—:- 

To  Jan  Berents  for  1 0  days'  haul- 
ing as  above  at  fl.  ^  a  day  50 

and  for  board  10 

60:—:— 
To  said  Jan  Berents  for  [work  on]  the 

new  buildings  202 : — : — 

Paid  to  Jan  Smith  for  44  days' 

labor  at  fl.  1:10— a  day  66 

51  days'  board  51 

117:—:— 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  211 

Paid   to  Jacob  Aryaens  for  a  wheel- 
barrow 6 : —  :— 
Paid  for  a  ladder  2:10:- 
For    my    extra    trouble    and    writings 

against  Pieter  Stuyvesant  regarding 

the  buildings  in  the  Byeemvoninghe  250: — : — 

Paid  to  Gerrrit  van  Wencom  for  copying 

all  the  writings  six  times  at  fl.  5  each  30: — : — 

For  firing  by   order  of   the  honorable 

guardians    upon    the    arrival    of   the 

Hon.  General  in  1 648  a  salute  of  six 

guns  and  on  his  departure  three,  for 

which,  with  the  cleaning  of  the  gun, 

was  used  24  Ibs.  of  powder  @  fl.  2 

the  pound;  also  three  days'  board  of 

Jan  van  Bremen  and  Hans  Jans  from 

Rotterdam,  together  54: — : — 

Paid  by  order  of  the  guardians  to  a 

squaw  whose  corn  was  eaten  by  the 

patroon's  horses  7 : —  :— 

To  4  beavers  sent  by   Rutger  Jacobs 

for  2000  bricks  from  the  north  for  the 

chimney  and  for  the  freight,  together  35  : — : — 

Paid  for  2  reams  and  4  quires  of  paper  29 : — : — 

Paid  for  locksmith's  work       11:16 : — 
For  5  hatchets  9:10:- 

For   covering  4  sashes   with 

cloth  3:12:- 

24:18:— 
1 648,  September  1 4  At  the  leasing  of  6  lots 

paid    in    premiums    to    the    highest 

bidder  in  cash,  as  appears  from  the 

minutes  32 : 1 0 : — 


212  Colony  of 

Paid  to  Gysbert  Cornelissen,  innkeeper, 

for  tavern  expenses  at  the  leasing  and 

for  wine  for  communion  service,  the 

toll  on  which  is  due  to  the  patroon  1  76 :  6 : — 

Paid  to  Abraham  Staas  for  two  large 

locks    for    the    ankle    shackles,    one 

beaver  8: — : — 

To  4  1  /2  schepels  of  wheat  sent  to  the 

fatherland  11:   5 :— 

Paid  to  Jan,  the  boy  of  Cornells  Segers, 

for   hunting    up    the   patroon's   boat 

which  the  savages  had  stolen  1  :10: — 

Paid  for  the  purchase  of  the  house  of 

Jan  van  Bremen,  now  situated  on  the 

farm  of  Jan  Berents  327:  8: — 

To  commission  paid  for  the  sale  of  the 

brewery  23 : — : — 

1 648  and  1 649  To  the  sons  of  Cornelis  Segers 

for  3   days'   hauling   of  heavy  logs 

with  four  horses  and  for  board  6 : — : — 

Paid  June   15,   1649,  upon  order 

on  the  part  of  the  patroon  for 

ransom  of  a  French  Christian         56 

and    anno     1650    for    another 

French  Christian  6 

62:—:— 
1 650,  January  3 1  Paid  in  commissions  at  the 

leasing  of  the   farms  of  Jan    [van] 

Bremen  and  Cornelis  Cornelissen  and 

the  sale  of  the  two  mill  stones  47:—: — 

ditto,    April    14    Paid    to    Christoffel 

Davits  in   settlement  of   de   Hoges' 

account  6 : — : — 

To  Rem  Jansen,  smith,  for  ironwork  for 

the  patroon's  house  27: — : — 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  213 

By  order  of  the  court  arrested  Dirck 
Henricks,  Claes  Andriessen  and 
Jacob  Henricks,  whereof  the  director 
has  handed  in  a  specified  account  of 
expenses 

Claes  estimated  at          1 04 : 1 4 :— 
Dirck  at  118:10:- 

223:  4:- 

For  the  reimburstment  of  which 
expenses    security    has    been 
given. 
Paid     to     Vasterick     for 

Dirck  Henricks  115: — : — 

and  for  a  hat  14: — : — 

Whereas  the  said  Dirck  by  a  judg- 
ment of  the  hororable  court  was 
ordered  to  go  to  Katskill  in  the 
service  of  the  patroon,  it  follows  that 
the  director  must  be  reimbursed  for 
the  monies  advanced  by  him  with 
interest  1 29 : — : — 

In  the  winter  of   1650  fire  broke  out 

three  times  in  the  patroon's  chimney 

and  was  attended  with  great  danger. 

The  expenses  of  extinguishing  the  fire 

and  bricking  up  the  holes  amounted  to  27: — : — 

Sent  to  the  patroon  64  beavers  @  fl.  8  512 : — : — 

Paid  to  Claes  Tyssen  according  to  the 

judgment  and  receipt  200: — : — 

To  Gerrit  van  Wenkom  for  his  services 

as  lieutenent-schout  (deputy  sheriff), 

for  2  years,  at  fl.  300  a  year  600: — : — 

Whereas  the  guardians  promised  Slich- 

tenhorst  by  contract  a  free  dwelling 

as  van  Curler  has  had  heretofore,  but 


214  Colony  of 

others  instead  of  Slichtenhorst  have 

enjoyed  this  and  he  therefore  has  had 

no  free  dwelling,  but  a  very  unfree 

(onvrpe,  i.e.,  without  any  privacy) 

and  forlorn  house  and  small  barn,  he 

reckons  that  he  has  thereby  suffered 

yearly  a  loss  and  damage  of  more 

than  fl.  1  50,  amounting  in  three  years 

to  450:—:— 

There  is  also  due  to  Slichtenhorst  for 

extra  pay  and  all  his  expenses  309: — : — 

Due  also  to  Slichtenhorst  for  expenses 

on  account  of  colonists  and  gentlemen 

who  come  and  go  and  entertainments, 

yearly  fl.  200,  in  three  years  600: — : — 

Due  to  me  for  extra  trouble  and  writings 

on    account    of    Adriaen    van    der 

Donck  250:—:- 

Also  for  writings,  trouble  and  expenses 

in  connection  with  proceedings  against 

Michiel  Jansen  200 :—  :— 

Due  to  Gerrit  van  Wenkom  for  copying 

all  the  foresaid  writings  six  times  @ 

fl.  5  each  30:—:- 

Slichtenhorst  is  by  virtue  of  his  contract 

entitled  to  4  milchcows  at  fl.  20  a 

year,  which  cows  he,  Slichtenhorst, 

has  used  not  for  his  own  benefit,  but 

largely  for  that  of  the  lord  patroon,  to 

occupy   the  vacant   farms,   in  order 

thus  to  keep  out  the  savages  as  far 

as  possible,  the  more  so  as  the  savages, 

one  after  the  other,  even  took  posses- 
sion of  the  empty  houses;  amounts  in 

three  years  to  240: — : — 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  215 

Also  for  the  promised  horses  at  fl.  30 

a  year,  in  three  years  180: — : — 

Also  for  4  morgens  of  arable  land  at 

fl.    20   a   year,    amounting   in   three 

years  to  240: — : — 

Also  for  loss  of  4  morgens  of  pasture  at 

fl.  1 0  a  year  each  and  the  increase  of 

cattle,  amounting  in  three  years  to  120: — : — 

Also  the  late  rumors,  called  the  Maquas 

war,   cost   me   in    addition    to    other 

large  presents  159: — : — 

Also  to  expenses  connected  with  the 

arrest  of  William  Juriaens,  assessed 

by  the  honorable  court  according  to 

the  declaration  at  118: — : — 

Paid  in  specie  for  five  captured  wolves, 

according  to  the  ordinance  24: — : — 

Whereas  the  Director  was  commissioned 

in  writing  to  go  to  the  Manhatans 

about  three  matters  concerning  in  the 

highest  degree  the  jurisdiction  of  the 

lords  patroons,  the  total  charges  for 

the  trip  are  131:  2 : — 

To  balance  of  accounts  of  Jan  van 

Twiller,     for    money    advanced    to 

Frederick   Lubberts.      Also   for   23 

weeks'    board,    which,    being    called 

upon    to   pay   the    same   before   his 

departure,   he   said   in   the   presence 

of  all  the  magistrates  would  be  paid 

by  the  patroon.     Also  for  8  schepels 

or  oats,  amounting  in  all  to  fl.   160, 

against  which  there  is  credited  to  him 

fl.27,  so  that  there  is  still  due  to  me  133: — : — 


216  Colony  of  Rensse/aersn>j;c£ 

Whereas  the  seawan   was   reduced  in 

value  at  the  Manhatans,  to  wit,  from 

six  to  eight  [beads]   for  one  stiver,  I 

stated  in  a  memorial  to  the  honorable 

court  that,  as  I  had  a  considerable 

quantity  on  hand,  I  could  not  afford 

the  loss.     July  23,   1650,  I  was  by 

decision  of  the  court,  referred  to  the 

patroon,   the   amount   allowed   being  310:  4: — 

Still  due  per  cash  account  1 408 :   5 : — 

1650,  28  Sept.     Presented  to  the  principal 

chief  of  the  third  castle  who  came  to 

see  us  according  to  his  custom: 
For  clouts  3:4:  — 

Four  knives  —   :  6:  — 

Four  awls  —   :    1  :  — 

A  few  days'  board  7:  5:  — 

10:16:  - 

Whereas  I  have  had  more  than  a  hun- 
dred  sleighloads   of   manure   drawn 

into  the  patroon's  garden  and  kept 

the  clapboard  fence  around  the  yard 

in  repair  at  my  own  expense,   and 

my   contract   provides   that   the   ex- 
penses   are   to    be    charged    to    the 

patroon  and  the  same  has  cost  me 

me   at   least   one   hundred   guilders, 

there  is  due  1 00 :  — : — 

The  amount  of  salary  which  according 

to  the  contract  must  be  paid  here  in 

this  country  is  fl.  750  a  year,  amount- 
ing for  three  years,  to  wit  from  March 

22,  1 648,  to  ditto  1 65 1 ,  to  2250 :—:— 


Total  amount  due  fl.  21118:14:12 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652  217 

From  this  is  to  be  deducted  the  receipts 

specified  above  7319:12: — 


Net  amount  due  fl.  13799:  2:12 

This  date,  the  20th  of  January  anno 
1651,  the  above  account  Was  ex- 
amined by  the  commissioners  of  the 
colony  of  Renselaerswyck,  who 
found  the  disbursements  to  amount 
to  fl.21118:14:12 

The  receipts  7319:12:— 


So  that  there  remains  due  fl.    13799:2:12 

Thus  done  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  the  commis- 
sioners and  of  the  Hon.  Director  Brandt  van  Slichtenhorst,  dated 
the  4th  of  September  Anno  1 647. 

Done  at  Renselaerswyck,  on  the  date  above  written. 

Was  signed :    Antonius  de  Hooges,  Secretary  and 

Commissioner 
A.  van  Curler,  Commissioner 

Being  asked  for  information  in  regard  to  the  above  account, 
Arent  van  Curler  wrote  on  September  1 ,   1 659,  to  Johan  van 
Rensselaer  as  follows:1 
Dear  Sir  and  worthy  cousin : 

Salute!  There  being  a  time  for  everything,  this  opportunity 
presents  itself,  which  I  do  not  wish  to  let  pass.  As  to  Slichten- 
horst, of  whom  your  honor  writes  that  he  obtained  a  judgment 
for  some  thousands  on  the  basis  of  the  account  of  about  13,000 
guilders  which  the  late  De  Hoges  and  I  are  said  to  have  signed, 
I  think  it  is  true  that  we  signed  it,  but  that  we  approved  it,  non 
credo.  Why  is  no  attention  paid  to  our  way  of  signing  it? 

Owing  to  the  length  of  time  that  has  passed,  I  have  for- 
gotten the  circumstances,  but  (under  correction)  it  seems  to  me 


1The  Dutch  text  of  the  letter  is  printed  on  p.  245-46  of  Mr.  Beer- 
nink's  biography  of  Van  Slichtenhorst. 


218  Colony  of 

and  my  recollection  is  that  we  examined  the  accounts  and  the 
vouchers  and  found  the  receipts  to  be  so  much  and  the  disburse- 
ments so  much,  but  as  to  having  signed,  approved  and  ratified 
the  same,  I  trust  we  did  not,  as  the  commission  of  the  commis- 
sioners gives  them  power  to  examine  and  discuss  the  director's 
accounts  provisionally,  but  the  approval  must  come  from  the 
patroon  and  the  co-directors. 
Miinheer,  mon  cousin, 

Your  willing  cousin  and  servant, 

Was  signed:  A.  van  Curler 


INDEX 


Accounts,  to  be  rendered  by  colon- 
ists, 63,  146 

Adriaensen,  Gysbert,  attacked  by 
Cornells  Segersen,  88,  89 

Adriaensen,  Jacob,  the  wagoner,  see 
Aertsen,  Jacob,  the  wagoner 

Adriaensen  (Aryaensen),  Jacob, 
wheelwright,  fighting,  59,  86; 
denies  fighting,  63;  attempt  to  pre- 
vent director  from  making  arrest, 

64,  66 ;  summoned,  64,  86,  155 ;  first 
default,    64;    to   give    security    for 
judgment,  65 ;    surety,   65,   69,   91 ; 
case  to  be  decided  by  referees,  65 ; 
attachment   against,   86;   fined,   92; 
examined  as  to  fight  at  house  of 
'Steven  Jansen,    133;   fighting  with 
Kettelheym,  140 

Adriaensen,  Maryn,  schepen,  8 
Adriaensen,     Rutger,     see    Arentsen, 

Rutger 

Ael,  Blancke,  85 

Aertsen,  Aert,  see  Otterspoor,  Aert 
Aertsen  (Adriaensen,  Aryaens), 
Jacob,  the  wagoner,  to  serve  out 
term  with  Evert  Pels,  25;  entered 
another  man's  service,  25 ;  court 
order  concerning,  26;  wages  at- 
tached, 50;  attempt  to  prevent 
director  from  making  arrest,  64, 

65,  66;  summoned,  64,  175;  to  give 
security   for   judgment,    65 ;    surety 
for,  65,  69,  91 ;  case  to  be  decided 
by  referees,  65;  fined,  02;  testifies, 
97;    debt,    175;    cited    Evert    Pels, 
175;   accounts,   211;   mentioned,   51 

Albany,  18;  Van  Slichtenhorst's 
claim  as  founder,  13,  21,  22 ;  pa- 
troon's  office,  24;  fair  at,  in 

Albertsen,  Hendrick,  ferry  master, 
135 ;  Stol  to  carry  out  contract 
with  patroon,  134,  135,  144;  men- 
tioned, 49 

Albertsen,  Willem,  see  Blaeuvelt, 
Captain  Willem  Albertsen 

Amersfoort,   14 


Amsterdam   fair,  no 

Andriessen,  Albert,  money  due  to 
from  Jan  Reyersen,  67;  money  due 
from  Quiryn  Cornelissen,  67 ;  state- 
ment concerning  Maquas,  127 ;  ac- 
counts, 204,  209 

Andriessen,   Arent,  35,  89,   127 

Andriessen,  Claes,  from  Hilversom, 
44;  ordered  to  fulfil  contract  of 
service,  82;  accused  of  fighting,  94; 
taken  into  custody,  108;  confession, 
109;  attacked  by  Lambertsen,  no; 
case  adjourned,  in;  promises  to 
give  no  cause  for  complaint,  in; 
fined,  113;  questioned  regarding 
fight  at  house  of  Steven  Jansen, 
133;  money  due  to,  135 ;  attacked 
by  Stol,  137;  forbidden  to  molest 
Hans  Vos,  139;  complaints  about, 
177;  accounts,  213;  mentioned,  138 

Andriessen  (Driessen),  Hendrick,  at- 
tacked by  Claes  Andriessen,  109; 
summoned,  134;  dispute  with  Plod- 
der, 160;  sued  by  director,  72 

Andriessen,  Jan,  from  Dublin,  state- 
ment on  killing  animals,  144 

Appel,  Jan,  see  Louwrensen,  Jan 

Arentsen,  Rutger,  summons  Cornelis- 
sen, 163,  164 

Aryaensen,  Jacob,  see  Adriaensen, 
Jacob 

Aryen  (Adriaen),  the  servant  of 
Cornelis  Vos,  177,  178,  181 ;  surety 
for,  180 

Attorneys  at  law,   lack  of,   156 

Barentsen,  Jan,  sec  Wemp,  Jan 
Barentsen 

Barentsen,  Thys,  debts,  167;  granted 
delay,  167;  money  due  to,  168; 
cited,  180,  182 

Bastiaensen,  Harmen,  case  referred 
to  arbitrators,  30;  sued  by  director, 
31,  67;  attempt  to  prevent  director 
from  making  arrest,  64,  66;  reply 
to  complaint  of  director,  69;  to  act 


[219] 


220 


Colony  of  Rensselaerswycfy 


,Bastiaensen,  Harmen  —  Continued 
as   referee,    160;   house,    182;    for- 
bidden  by   Mr    Dyckman   to    erect 
house,    186;    accounts,    209;    men- 
tioned, 141 

Bastiaensen,  Jan,  examination  of,  185 

Beeren  Island,  n,  169 

Beernink,  G. ;  biographer  of  Van 
Slichtenhorst,  quoted,  13,  14,  15,  21, 
22,  23,  207 

Bentinck  ten  Berencamp,  Joncker 
Carel,  14 

Bestval,  Juriaen,  summoned,  48,  96, 
156,  174,  175,  176;  transfer  of 
property  to  by  Pels,  70;  acknowl- 
edges signature  to  contract,  107; 
surety  for  Gysbert  Cornelissen, 
108;  property  attached,  132,  139, 
156,  174;  farm  of,  157;  ordered  to 
pay  debts,  175 

Beth,  Reynert  Pieter,  see  Both,  Rey- 
nert Pieter 

Bethlehem,  97,  103,  135,  176 

Beverwyck  (Beverswyck),  erected  an 
independent  village,  18;  court  of 
justice  erected,  18,  23,  199;  men- 
tioned, 19,  23 

Blaeuvelt,  Captain  Willem  Albert- 
sen,  attacked,  178,  179,  180;  cited 
179,  180;  judgment  against,  181; 
accounts,  202 

Bloemaert,  Adryaen,  not  to  take 
colonists  to  Manhattan  without 
director's  consent,  88;  accounts, 
209 

Bloemaert,  Samuel,  instructions  re- 
ceived from,  131 

Boer,   Pieter  de,   see   Jansen,   Pieter 

Bogardus,  Anneke  Jans,  daughters, 
53 

Bogardus,  Rev.  Everardus,  202 

Bordingh,  Claes,  papers  in  suit 
delivered  to  Van  der  Donck,  84 

Bosie,  Pieter,  the  Frenchman,  sum- 
moned, 134;  prosecuted  for  fight- 
ing, 184 

Both  (Beth),  Reynert  Pietersen, 
skipper,  50,  123,  207 

Boundary  posts,   194 


Bout,  Willem  Fredericksen,  Marten 
Hendricksen  ordered  to  pay,  31 ; 
mark  as  witness,  74;  surety  for 
Van  der  Donck,  82 ;  summoned,  95, 
96;  sued  by  director,  154;  to  act  as 
referee,  160;  summons  de  Vries, 
163,  170;  mark  of,  172;  accounts, 
209;  mentioned,  196 

Brewery,  86,  87,  105,  151 ;  contract  of 
sale,  202 

Brick,  Reyer  Elbertsen  to  try  manu- 
facture of,  181 

Bridges,  141 

Bronck,  Pieter,  dispute  with  Joost 
Teunissen,  159;  petition  to  have  a 
tavern,  162;  cited  Otterspoor,  176; 
cited  Thomassen,  182;  money  due 
to,  182;  mentioned,  113,  149 

Burgher  oath,  173 

Byeenwoninge,  use  of  term,  22-^3; 
ground  around  to  be  cleared  of 
underbrush,  168;  mentioned,  90, 
118,  141,  151,  211 

Cannon,  borrowed  from  patroon,  128 ; 
court  requests  restitution  of,  178, 
186;  answer  to  request,  187;  resti- 
tution if  demanded  by  Van  Slich- 
tenhorst, 188 

Capital  punishment,  only  case  of  in 
colony,  12 

Carstensen  (the  Noorman),  Carsten, 
summoned,  85;  garden,  134,  157; 
statements  sworn  to,  158;  accounts, 
210 

Carstensen,  Jan,  reported  attack  on, 
131,  138;  sued  by  director,  154 

Casteels  island,  78,  102,  130;  leased, 
157 

Catskill  (Kastil,  Katskil),  settlement 
of  opposed,  106,  108,  116;  land  at 
promised  to  certain  persons,  183; 
purchase  and  expenses  of,  207 

Chambers,  Thomas,  sued  by  director, 
30;  remarks  about  Claes  Tyssen, 
31 ;  ordered  to  start  building  house, 
31;  dispute  about  brandy,  50;  fight- 
ing with  Kettelheym,  62,  139,  140; 
fighting  with  Vos,  62 ;  complaint 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


221 


Chambers,  Thomas  —  Continued 
against,  98;  to  renew  alliance  with 
Maquas,  129;  animals  shot  by 
savages,  144;  right  to  use  pastur- 
age without  charge,  145 ;  mill  near 
farm,  154;  money  in  hands  of  at- 
tached, 157 ;  cited,  162 ;  complains 
of  Adriaen  Dircksen,  163;  may 
hire  another  servant,  164;  petition, 
195;  accounts,  204;  mentioned,  no 

Christman,  Andreas  Johannis,  placards 
signed  by,  187 

Church,  75 ;  staircase  built  on  outside 
of,  141 ;  coats  of  arms  in,  207 

Claesen,  Cornelis,  see  Segersen,  Cor- 
nelis 

Claesje,  a  negress,  191 

Claessen,  Pieter,  sued  by  director,  33, 
43,  73 ;  first  default,  40 ;  fined,  43 ; 
to  fulfil  his  contract  of  service,  47 ; 
summoned,  48;  claims  unjust  treat- 
ment by  director,  43,  53 ;  regrets 
using  slanderous  language,  54; 
surety  for  Van  Es,  59;  sued  by 
de  Vos,  73;  Hans  Vos  to  watch 
property,  74 ,  105 ;  house,  barn  and 
hay  barracks,  75 ;  released  from 
bail  bond,  76;  ordered  to  let  Jan 
van  Bremen  have  horses,  76;  left 
Rensselaerswyck,  82;  money  due 
to,  84;  accounts,  204;  mentioned, 
41,  42,  46,  53 

Claverack  (Klaverrack),  purchase, 
207 

Coats  of  arms,  burnt  in  glass,  207 

Coeymans,  Barent  Pietersen,  see 
Pietersen,  Barent 

Coeymans,  Lucas  Pietersen,  see  Piet- 
ersen, Lucas 

Compeer,  Tomes,  see  Higgins, 
Thomas 

Coninck  (Keuningh,  Koeninck), 
Thomas,  boy  to  be  taken  into  serv- 
ice, 69 ;  wife,  mentioned,  101 ;  cited, 
161,  162 ;  ordered  to  pay  for  bull, 
167 

Constapel,  see  Herbertsen,  Andries 

Coorn  (Koorn),  Nicolaes,  acted  as 
officer  of  the  colony,  1 1 ;  apostil  on 


Coorn       (Koorn),       Nicolaes  —  Con- 
tinued 

petition  of,  26,  70;  attachment  of 
money  in  hands  of,  29;  to  render 
statement  of  goods  received,  29;  at- 
tachment against  vacated,  32; 
ordered  to  present  accounts,  40,  72; 
summoned  in  regard  to  slandering 
Hans  Vos,  61 ;  notice  served  on, 
72;  money  due  to,  140;  accounts, 
205,  209 

Cornelis,  Aertje,  120 

Cornelis,  Broer,  see  Teunissen,  Cor- 
nelis, from  Breuckelen 

Cornelissen,  Claes,  summoned,  163, 
164,  176,  177,  179;  admits  debts, 
1 68;  complaint  against  his  brother 
Gysbert,  177;  fined,  178 

Cornelissen,  Cornelis,  van  Voorhout, 
see  Van  Voorhout,  Cornelis  Cor- 
nelissen 

Cornelissen,  Gysbert  (aen  den 
Berch),  from  Breuckelen,  ordered 
to  deliver  cattle,  76;  animals  from 
his  farm  for  Evert  Pels,  81 ;  surety 
for,  107,  108;  statement  regard- 
ing Lambertsen,  142;  cited,  176, 
I77,  179  J  acknowledges  indebted- 
ness, 178;  authorized  to  draw  logs, 
181 ;  mentioned,  142 

Cornelissen,  Gysbert,  from  Weesp, 
tavernkeeper,  summoned,  48;  state- 
ment regarding  Van  Bremen  and 
Vos,  57 ;  statement  regarding 
Indians,  no;  rent  reduced,  124; 
dispute  with  Philip  Schuyler,  132, 
133;  granted  a  garden,  134;  fight- 
ing at  his  house,  135,  140;  drink- 
ing at  his  house,  136;  attacked  by 
Stol,  137;  lease  of  Casteels  island, 
157 ;  garden,  181 ;  Cornelis  Seger- 
sen to  deliver  wheat  to,  108; 
placard  on  house  torn  down,  200; 
accounts,  212;  mentioned,  102,  106, 
108,  109,  141,  158,  181 

Cornelissen,  Pieter,  from  Munnick- 
endam,  commissioner,  10;  referred 
to  arbitrators,  30 


222 


Colony  of 


Cornelissen,  Quiryn  (Cryn),  ac- 
counts, 26,  27 ;  released  from  con- 
finement, 28;  service  with  Evert 
Pels,  29 ;  money  due  to,  35 ;  first 
default,  67;  horse  drowned,  67; 
bond,  73 ;  farm,  95 ;  land  to  be  sold, 
102 ;  requests  permission  to  erect 
a  saw  mill,  169;  inventory  of 
estate,  202 ;  mentioned,  32,  58 

Cornelissen,  Roelof,  35;  accounts,  73, 
202 

Cornelissen,  Seger,  suinmond,  134; 
sued  'by  director,  152 

Cornelissen,  Teunis,  ordered  to  pay 
Marten  Hendricksen,  31 ;  farm, 
104,  115;  house,  104;  payments  to 
by  Dircksen,  115;  summond,  134, 
162,  164,  165,  179;  denies  shooting, 
138;  slandered  by  Dircksen,  151; 
first  default,  162;  accounts,  204, 
209;  mentioned,  206 

Court  messenger,  duties,  55 ;  ap- 
pointed, 159.  See  also  Reur, 
Hendrick;  Vos,  Hans 

Court  of  Fort  Orange  and  Bever- 
wyck,  erected,  18,  199 

Court  of  Rensselaerswyck,  erected, 
7 ;  jurisdiction,  7,  9,  12 ;  appeal 
from,  7;  organization,  16;  main 
settlement  of  colony  taken  out  of 
its  jurisdiction,  18;  consolidated 
with  court  of  Fort  Orange,  19; 
minutes  connect  with  those  of  Fort 
Orange  court,  23;  members  in  1651, 
157;  bell  to  be  rung  when  court 
convenes,  173 

Court  records,  extent  of,  23;  kept  by 
de  Hooges,  24,  120;  original  title, 
24;  sent  to  Holland,  120;  extracts 
sent  to  Holland,  159;  listed  in  Van 
Slichtenhorst's  inventory,  202 

Craloo,  fair  at,  in 

Croa<et,  see  Stevensen,  Abraham 

Croon  (Kroon),  Dirck  Jansen,  to 
take  the  burgher  oath,  182;  house, 
182 ;  accounts,  208 

Crynen  (Quirynen),  Gornelis, 
arrested,  35 ;  money  due  to,  35  ;  bond 
signed  by,  73;  summoned,  73 


Davits,  Christoffel,  attacked  by  Van 
Bremen,  58;  takes  over  Dirck 
Hendricksen,  83 ;  statement  regard- 
ing a  horse,  86;  sues  Fairfax,  90, 
107;  horse  drowned,  91;  taken  into 
custody,  91 ;  land  to  be  sold,  102 ; 
sued  by  director,  107;  to  make 
good  loss  of  horse,  114;  default 
for  failing  to  appear  in  court,  131 ; 
summoned,  134,  140;  attacked  by 
Kettelheym,  140;  accounts,  212 

Day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  Slichten- 
horst's protest  against  order  for,  30 

De  Caper  (Kaeper),  Jan,  not  to  take 
colonists  to  Manhattan  without 
director's  consent,  88;  took  grain 
to  Manhattan,  147 ;  accounts,  208 

De  Gooier  (Gojer),  Dirck,  see 
Hendricksen,  Dirck 

De  Goyer,   Peter,   103 

De  Guyt,  see  Jansen,  Huybert 

De  Hooges  (Hoogens),  Anthony, 
commissioner,  16;  in  charge  of 
colony,  17;  secretary  of  the  colony, 
17;  main  body  of  record  in  hand- 
writing of,  24;  assault  on,  27; 
sued  by  Van  der  Donck,  78; 
decision  on  Van  der  Donck's  wheat, 
81 ;  surety  for  wheat,  82 ;  payments 
to  by  Pels,  93 ;  opinion  regarding 
loss  of  horse,  114;  judgment  re- 
garding horse  certified  by,  114; 
protests  regarding  Van  Slichten- 
horst's accounts,  114;  letter  to 
Governor  Stuyvesant,  117;  exam- 
ination of  seawan,  118;  court 
records  in  custody  of,  120;  at- 
tacked by  Jeuriaensen,  122;  investi- 
gation of  authenticity  of  letter  to 
Vastrick,  125;  attacked  by  Stol, 
136;'  decision  regarding  New  Year 
shooters.  138;  insulted  by  Lambert- 
sen,  142;  decision  on  dispute  be- 
tween director  and  Stol,  145 ;  to 
act  as  attorney  for  Segersen,  156; 
books,  202 ;  accounts,  205,  206,  212 ; 
signature,  33,  34,  30,  44,  55,  60,  6t, 
63,  65,  67,  70,  74,  77,  80.  81,  83,  88, 
92,  93,  94,  95,  97,  101,  112,  113, 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


223 


De    Hooges    (Hoogens),    Anthony  — 

Continued 

117,  118,  123,  125,  127,  128,  129,  132, 
144,  158,  166,  167,  170,  172,  174, 
180,  185,  186,  193,  199,  217;  men- 
tioned, 54,  56,  57,  77,  78,  84,  85, 
101,  115,  119,  130,  140,  157 

De  Key  (Kay),  Willem,  dispute 
about  brandy,  50;  dispute  with 
Segersen,  69;  warrant  of  arrest, 
69;  statement  by,  70;  appearance 
in  court,  53;  wife,  53 

De  Laet,  Johannes,  instructions  re- 
ceived from,  131 

De  Princes,  ship,   wrecked,  79 

De  iReus,  Gerrit  Theussen,  schepen, 
8;  mentioned,  36,  48 

De  Vos,  Andries,  office  of  raet  held 
by,  17;  derogatory  remarks  about, 
33;  slandered  by  wife  of  Van  Es, 
44;  Van  Es  not  to  molest,  57;  in- 
junction served  on,  57;  servant, 
57;  payment  for  mill,  59;  sues 
Pieter  Claessen,  73 ;  surety  for 
Davits,  91 ;  arbitrator  in  case  of 
Plevick,  99;  stallion  sold  to,  100; 
requests  director  to  state  charges 
against  brother-in-law,  143;  ap- 
pointment as  assistant  to  guardians 
of  orphans,  154;  petition  regarding 
use  of  water  and  building  mill, 
154;  accounts,  209;  mentioned,  75, 
188 

De  Vries,  Adriaen  Dircksen,  com- 
plaint about,  163 ;  acknowledges 
signature  to  contract,  163 ;  pun- 
ished, 164;  released  from  confine- 
ment, 165 ;  cited,  172 ;  attacked  by 
Nolden,  172 

De  Vries,  Cornelis,  summoned,  163 

Dircksen,  Adriaen,  see  De  Vries, 
Adriaen  Dircksen 

Dircksen,  Jan,  see  Van  Bremen,  Jan 
Dircksen 

Dircksen,  Jan,  the  Englishman, 
beaten  by  Claes  Gerritsen,  53 ;  sued 
by  Verbeeck,  131 ;  mentioned,  28, 
44.  no,  113.  See  also  Jan,  the 
Smith 


Dircksen,  Teunis,  appointed  as  surety, 
34;  sued  by  director,  86,  145,  140, 
149,  154;  summoned,  87,  105,  116, 
174,  187,  194;  notice  served  on,  96, 
108 ;  to  sell  brewery,  105 ;  grain 
attached,  107 ;  agreement  with 
director  regarding  land,  115;  state- 
ment regarding  Lambertsen,  142 ; 
punished  and  fined,  150,  152;  or- 
dered shooting  by  night,  151 ; 
slandered  Teunis  Cornelissen,  151; 
surety  for  Jan  Helms,  154;  agrees 
to  answer  director's  complaint,  155 ; 
cited  Jacob  Aertsen,  175 ;  releases 
Pieter  Hartgers  from  obligation  as 
surety,  194;  mentioned,  142 

Distillery,  in  Greenen  Bosch,   167 

Donckers,  Catalyn,  see-  'Sanders, 
Catalyn 

Doussen,  Harmen,  not  to  take 
colonists  to  Manhattan  without 
director's  consent,  88 

Doyssen  (Dojesen),  Egbert,  servant 
of  Sander  Leendertsen,  70;  sum- 
moned, 134,  195 

Driesen,  Hendrick,  see  Andriessen, 
Hendrick 

Duyckingh,  Evert,  accounts,  207;  of- 
fers to  burn  coats  of  arms  in  glass, 
207 

Dyckman,  Johannes,  to  act  as 
referee,  170;  signature,  172;  cites 
Uylenspiegel,  172,  173 ;  request  con- 
cerning wages  earned  by  Jan 
Weble,  173 ;  delivers  to  court 
Stuyvesant's  writ  of  appeal,  174; 
cites  Van  Voorhout,  175 ;  timber 
for  house,  183 ;  promised  copies  of 
deeds  of  purchase  and  conveyance 
of  colony,  184;  asks  permission  to 
post  placard  in  the  colony,  184-85, 
188;  requested  to  return  cannon, 
186;  placards  presented  by,  187; 
answer  to  request  for  cannon 
signed  by,  187;  extract  from  the 
deed  of  conveyance  of  the  colony 
delivered  to,  188;  copy  of  grant  by 
their  High  Mightinesses  delivered 
to,  188 ;  soldiers  of,  complaint  of 


224 


Colony  of 


Dyckman,  Johannes  —  Continued 
violence  committed  by,  189;  erec- 
tion of  boundary  posts,  194;  dispute 
with  Leendersen  about  a  negress, 
195 ;  remarks  about  Van  Slichten- 
horst,  197;  mentioned,  183,  194 

Eencluys,  Hans  Jansen,  see  Inckluis, 

Hans  Jansen 
Elberts,  Evert,  20 
Elbertsen,   Reyer,    permitted  to   burn 

brick,   181 
Evertsen,    Tys,    statement    regarding 

Lambertsen,  142 

Fair,  no-ii 

Fairfax,  Thomas,  horse  lent  to,  86, 
114;  sued  by  Davits,  90;  charges 
against  Davits,  91 ;  fled  from 
colony  to  fort,  91 ;  ordered  to 
furnish  surety,  107;  surety  for,  in 

First  kill  (Rutten  kill),  54 

Flag  of  the  colony,  hauled  down  by 
order  of  Director  Stuyvesant,  198, 
199 

Flodder  (Gardenier),  Jacob  Jansen, 
mill,  27,  95 ;  sued  by  director,  106 ; 
complaint  against  Jansen,  108; 
denies  drinking,  108 ;  submits  dif- 
ferences to  commissioners,  109; 
buys  lumber,  109;  drinking,  139; 
dispute  with  Hendrick  Andriessen, 
160;  fighting,  180 

Fonda,  Gillis,  167 

Fort  De  Hoop  (Hope),  34,  39 

Fort  Orange,  dispute  as  to  jurisdic- 
tion of  territory  around,  17,  185; 
buildings  around  fort  ordered  torn 
down,  18,  151 ;  separate  court  for, 
18,  199;  inhabitants  alarmed  by 
shooting  in  the  Greenen  Bosch,  151 

Francisco,  Jan,  12 

Fredericksen,  Willem  see  Bout,  Wil- 
lem  Fredericksen 

Furs,  confiscated,  171 

Fuyck,  origin  of  name,  151 ;  houses 
torn  down  by  soldiers,  151;  men- 
tioned, 18,  23 


Gardenier,  Jacob  Jansen,  see  Flod- 
der, Jacob  Jansen 

Gecommitteerden  (Commissioners), 
temporarily  administer  colony,  10 ; 
duties,  10,  16 ;  approved  appointment 
of  J.  B.  van  Rensselaer  as  magis- 
trate, 166 

Gerechtspersonen  (rechtsvrienden) , 
duties,  16 

Gerret,  the  cooper,  see  Jansen,  Gerrit 

Gerritsen,  Beernt,  accounts,  210 

Gerritsen,  Claes,  confesses  wounding 
Jan,  the  smith,  32;  denies  state- 
ment about  trading  beavers,  43 ; 
quotes  Ruth  Jacobsen,  44;  sued  by 
director,  48;  given  time  to  settle 
account,  52 ;  accused  of  beating  Jan 
Dircksen,  53 ;  ordered  to  satisfy 
judgment,  71,  164-165;  pays  no  re- 
gard to  sentence,  85 ;  decision  on 
case  submitted  to  referees,  127, 
1 68;  court  records  concerning,  159; 
judgment  concerning,  161 ;  arrested, 
162;  eked,  162,  192,  194;  money 
due  to,  163 ;  complaint  regarding 
director,  164;  statement  by,  164; 
referees  chosen,  171 ;  mark,  171 

Gerritsen,  Goosen,  16;  office  of  raet 
held  by,  17;  second  default,  40; 
urged  to  accept  office  of  magistrate, 
40 ;  accepts  magistrate's  office,  41 ; 
takes  oath  of  fidelity  as  magistrate, 
43 ;  surety  for  Jacob  Lambertsen, 
in;  opinion  regarding  loss  of 
horse,  114;  examination  of  seawan, 
118;  permission  to  engage  in  tap- 
ping business,  123;  discharged  at 
own  request,  137;  decision  regard- 
ing New  Year  shooters,  138; 
supervision  of  school,  174;  mark 
of,  174;  cited,  192;  cited  Lambert- 
sen,  194 ;  accounts,  205 ;  mentioned, 

102,    119 

Glen,   Sander  Leendertsen,  see  Leen- 

dertsen,  Sander 
Gooier    (Gojer),    meaning    of    term, 

138 
Grasmeer,  Rev.  Wilhelm,  125 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


225 


Greenen>  Bosch,  21,  64,  94,  105;  resi- 
dence of  Megapolensis,  32;  houses 
searched,  32;  brewery,  151,  194; 
shooting  in,  151;  distillery,  167; 
brew  kettle,  202 

Grotius,  Hugo,  202 

Guyt,  see  Jansen,  Huybert 


Hageman  (Haegeman),  Jan,  sum- 
moned, 83,  84;  sued  by  director, 
85;  ordered  sent  away,  118;  ac- 
counts, 204 

Hans  in  Cluys,  see  Inckluis  (Een- 
cluys),  Hans  Jansen 

Hansen,  Volckert,  see  Jansen, 
Volckert 

Hap,  Jacob  Jansen,  see  Stol,  Jacob 
Jansen 

Harderwyck,  14 

Harmensen,  Marten,  the  mason,  sued 
:by  director,  72;  no  dealings  with 
private  traders,  141 

Hartgers  (Hertgers),  Pieter,  office 
of  raet  held  by,  17;  first  default, 
40 ;  surety  for  return  of  horse,  53 ; 
wife,  53;  lease  of  land,  74;  levy 
on  property,  87;  attacked  by  Stol, 
136 ;  nominated  as  magistrate,  137 ; 
to  take  oath  of  office,  140 ;  admitted 
as  member  of  court,  143 ;  fighting 
with  Dircksen,  152;  witness,  156; 
referee  in  case  of  Jan  Thomassen, 
188;  cited  Dircksen,  194;  obliga- 
tion as  surety,  release  of,  194;  ac- 
counts, 204;  mentioned,  157,  193 

Helms  (Helmsen),  Jan,  to  receive 
grain,  124;  dispute  with  Jacobsen, 
134;  summoned,  134;  fined,  137; 
surety  for,  148,  154;  sued  by 
director,  154 

Hendricksen,  Cornell's,  see  Van  Nes, 
Cornells  Hendricksen 

Hendricksen  (Henricks) ,  Di'rck. 
from  Hilversom,  ordered  to  fulfil 
contract  of  service,  82;  taken  over 
by  Christoffel  Davits,  83 ;  assault  on 
Van  Bremen,  94;  summoned,  107; 
taken  into  custody,  108;  horse 
drowned  by,  109,  114;  charges 
8 


Hendricksen  (Henricks),  Dirck  — 
Continued 

against  Croaet,  no;  fighting,  114; 
surety  for,  115;  ordered  to  Katskil, 
115;  complaint  about,  138;  injunc- 
tion served  on,  139;  accounts,  213 

Hendricksen,  Marten,  see  Verbeeck, 
Marten  Hendricksen 

Hendricksen,  Rutger,  of  Soest,  ap- 
pointed schout,  7,  8;  does  not  hold 
office,  9;  mentioned,  17 

Henricks,  Jacob,  accounts,  213 

Herbertsen  (Herberts,  Constapel), 
Andries,  surety  for  Thomas  Fair- 
fax, in;  wife,  119;  fighting  with 
Stol,  135;  to  act  as  referee,  170; 
signature,  172;  accounts,  206,  207 

Hertgers,  see  Hartgers 

Hevick,  Jacob,  lease  of  house,  74; 
mark  of,  74;  sued  by  director,  98; 
examination,  98;  decision  of  arbi- 
trators, 99;  money  due  to,  104; 
accounts,  204,  210 

Hey,  Jacob,  accounts,  209 

Higgins  (Compeer),  Thomas,  shoot- 
ing during  the  night,  103  ;  statement 
on  killing  animals,  144;  land  at 
Catskil,  183 ;  mentioned,  102 

Hoofd-officier   (chief  officer),  9,   14 

Hooge  Berg,  location  of,  36 

Horse,  sold  to  Gen.  Stuyvesant,  81 ; 
presented  to  Gen.  Stuyvesant,  100 

Horse  mill,   181 

Horses,  speeding  of,  50-51,  52; 
neglect  of,  59 ;  ^  employment  for 
other  than  personal  use  forbidden, 
59-60;  exchanged,  100;  cruelty  to, 
152;  used  for  teaming,  contrary  to 
ordinance,  153;  removed  to  Man- 
hattan, 170 

Houses,  ordered  to  be  torn  down,  18 ; 
torn  down  by  soldiers,  151 ; 
Commissary  Dyckman  forbids  erec- 
tion of  house  of  Harmen  Bastiaen- 
sen,  186;  expenses  of  protests 
against  destruction,  211 

Huybertsen  (Huybers),  Aryaen, 
notice  to  leave  farm,  191 ;  pay- 
ments to  by  director,  199 ;  accounts, 
204;  mentioned,  103,  104,  no 


226 


Colony  of  RenssdaerslvycJt 


Inckluis  (Eencluys),  Hans  Jansen, 
accused  of  beating  an  Indian,  29; 
summoned,  48,  101,  172,  180;  sued 
by  director,  56;  requests  permission 
to  erect  a  saw  mill,  169;  denies 
fighting,  1 80;  fined,  180;  mentioned, 

211 

Indians,  sale  of  contraband  munitions 
of  war  to,  34;  sale  of  liquor  to,  97; 
drinking,  no;  permission  to  erect 
house,  131 ;  cattle  killed  by,  144, 
145;  house  of  near  Fort  Orange, 
166;  accounts  with,  207;  see  also 
Maquas 

Inventory  of  Slichtenhorst's  office, 
201 

Jacobsen,  Aert,  sells  liquor  to 
Indians,  97;  to  deliver  heifer  to 
Reyersen,  100;  refused  to  obey 
Director's  order,  101 ;  to  pay  rent, 
103;  summoned,  106,  134,  176,  192; 
grain  appraised  by,  124;  fined,  137; 
sued  by  director,  154;  surety  for, 
154;  judgment,  176;  lease  of  farm 
may  be  canceled,  176;  mentioned, 
97,  101,  134 

Jacobsen,  Casper,  lease  of  homestead, 
155 

Jacobsen,  Franz,  statement  by,  04 

Jacobsen,  Pieter,  mark,  128;  sued  by 
director,  188 ;  cited,  188 ;  tears  down 
a  placard,  200;  mentioned  100 

Jacobsen,  Rutger,  office  of  raet  held 
by,  17;  remarks  to  Claes  Gerritsen, 
44;  promised  protection  by  Van 
Slichtenhorst,  54 ;  surety  for  Jacob 
Adriaensen,  65,  69,  91 ;  surety  for 
Jacob  Aertsen,  69,  91 ;  sale  of 
horses  to,  97;  takes  oath  as 
councilor,  99;  arbitrator  in  case  of 
Hevick,  99;  surety  for  Abraham 
Stevensen,  114;  opinion  regarding 
loss  of  horse,  114;  examination  of 
seawan,  118;  to  take  Willem 
Jeuriaensen  on  his  yacht,  123 ;  in- 
vestigation of  authenticity  of  letter 
sent  to  Vastrick,  125;  servant,  134; 


Jacobsen,    Rutger  —  Continued 

decision  regarding  New  Year 
shooters,  138;  witness,  156;  did  not 
know  of  judgment,  164;  successor 
appointed,  166;  signature,  174; 
cited,  184,  191,  192;  first  default, 
191;  accounts,  204,  208,  211;  men- 
tioned, 71,  73,  102,  115,  144,  157 

Jacobsen,  Ruth,  see  Jacobsen,  Rutger 

Jacobsen,  Teunis,  summoned,   141 

Jan,  the  boy  of  Cornelis  Segers,  212 

Jan,  the  smith,  32,  169;  accounts,  210. 
See  also  Dircksen,  Jan,  Englishman 

Jans,  Anneke,  see  Bogardus,  Anneke 
Jans 

Jansen,  Adriaen,  from  Leyden,  signa- 
ture, 95 ;  sues  Mynten,  96 ;  permis- 
sion to  collect  debts,  124 

Jansen,  Adriaen,  Van  Ilpendam,  see 
Van  Ilpendam,  Adriaen  Jansen 

Jansen,  Albert,  the  carpenter,  191 

Jansen,  Claes,  from  Bockhoven,  con- 
demned for  hauling  firewood,  176; 
cited,  192 ;  to  pay  for  hauling  wood, 
193;  satisfies  judgment,  193 

Jansen,  Cornelis,  to  receive  a  gun,  32 ; 
not  to  take  colonists  to  Manhattan 
without  director's  consent,  88 

Jansen,  Dirck,  see  Croon,  Dirck 
Jansen 

Jansen,  Evert,  to  support  himself  by 
tailoring,  35 

Jansen,  Gerrit,  the  cooper,  sued  by 
director,  31,  72 

Jansen,  Hans,  see  Inckluis,  Hans 
Jansen 

Jansen,  Huybert,  de  guyt,  summoned, 
48;  attacked  by  Paulus  Jansen,  57; 
crime  committed  by,  175;  accounts, 
210;  mentioned,  196 

Jansen,  Jacob,  from  Stoutenburch, 
remarks  about  Claes  Tyssen,  30 ; 
sued  by  director,  30,  summoned,  87 ; 
acknowledges  signature,  88 

Jansen,  Jacob,  see  also  Plodder,  Jacob 
Jansen ;  Stol,  Jacob  Jansen ; 
Schermerhoorn,  Jacob  Jansen 

Jansen,  Louwerens,   102;  wife,   103 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


227 


Jansen,  Mathijs,  widow  sues  Jeuriaen- 
sen, 35 ;  money  due  to,  40 

Jansen,  Michiel,  accounts,  33,  34,  77, 
96;  arrested,  34;  appointment  of 
sureties,  34;  again  arrested,  34; 
sued  by  director,  36-39;  Appel  files 
answer  in  behalf  of,  44;  has  not 
satisfied  judgments,  123;  ordered 
to  file  answer,  124;  attorney  for, 
169;  court  decision,  169;  men- 
tioned, 48,  214 

Jansen,  Paulus,  the  Noorman,  assail- 
ant fined,  25,  107;  attack  on 
Huybert  Jansen,  57;  fined,  108; 
submits  differences  with  Plodder  to 
commissioners,  109;  drinking,  139; 
statement  on  killing  animals,  144; 
mentioned,  35,  89 

Jansen  (de  Boer),  Pieter,  contract 
with  Hans  Vos,  51;  mentioned,  55 

Jansen,  Rem,  the  smith,  sued  by 
director,  72;  rumors  of  war  with 
Maquas,  127;  drinking,  139;  ac- 
counts, 212;  mentioned,  59 

Jansen,  Roelof,  of  Masterland, 
schepen,  7;  daughters,  53 

Jansen,  Steven,  carpenter,  quarrels 
with  Claes  Andriessen,  109;  fight 
at  house  of,  132,  133,  137;  wife  ac- 
cused by  Teunis  Jansen,  132 ;  state- 
ment on  receiving  beer,  143 ;  wages, 
178;  lot,  183;  accounts,  205,  206; 
brought  to  colony,  208;  mentioned, 
104,  109,  142,  183,  .188 

Jansen,  Symon,  cited,  48 

Jansen,  Teunis,  sailmaker,  132 

Jansen,  Thomas  (Tomes),  wounded 
by  Evert  Pels,  47,  52;  sues  Pels, 
80;  court  decision  regarding,  93; 
accounts,  204,  210;  mentioned,  71, 
74,  109,  182,  183 

Jansen  (Hansen),  Volkert,  forbidden 
to  carry  on  unlawful  trade,  70; 
summoned,  83 ;  to  renew  alliance 
with  Maquas,  129 ;  attacked  by 
Stol,  136;  dispute  with  director, 
184;  accounts,  155,  206 

Jeuriaensen,  Willem,  see  Juriaensen, 
Willem 


Joesten,   Symon,  summoned,  47 

Jogues,  Father  Isaac,  quoted,  22 

Juriaens,  Annetje,   119,  120 

Juriaens,  Volckje,  119,  120 

Juriaensen  (Jeuriaensen),  Willem, 
sentence  of  banishment,  12;  sen- 
tence confirmed,  27;  accounts,  29, 
215;  sued  by  widow  of  Mattys 
Jansen,  35,  40;  sued  for  slandering 
Stol's  wife,  88;  sued  by  director, 
90,  154;  acknowledges  signature  to 
contract,  113,  155,  175;  complaint 
against,  119;  apprehension  of,  120; 
twice  banished  from  colony,  120, 
122 ;  punished  and  forever  banished, 
121 ;  attack  on  de  Hooges,  122;  to 
be  brought  on  board  yacht  of 
Rutger  Jacobsen,  123;  requests  to 
be  released  from  confinement,  125 ; 
attacked  by  Stol,  136;  not  willing 
to  carry  out  contract  with  Van 
Hoesen,  174;  cited,  175;  lot,  181 

Katskil,  see  'Catskill 

Kees  de  boer,  see  Segersen,  Cornelis 

Kees  Schoester,  see  Van  Westbroeck, 
Cornelis  Teunissen 

Kerckbuurte,  location  of,  70 

Kerckhof,  75 

Kettelheym  (Kuttelheym),  Jochem, 
sues  Lambertsen,  44 ;  remarks  about 
by  Lambertsen,  46 ;  persons  slander- 
ing will  be  fined,  46 ;  summoned,  48, 
96,  133,  138,  175,  176;  dispute  with 
Lambertsen  settled,  -56;  fighting, 
62,  139,  140;  grain  attached,  107; 
'money  due  to,  132 ;  sued  by  director, 
139;  debts,  157,  175 

Keuningh,  Thomas,  see  Coninck, 
Thomas 

Key  (Kay),  Willem,  see  De  Key 
(Kay) 

Kieft,  Willem,  letter  from  patroon 
to,  10;  mentioned,  12,  106 

Klaverrack,  see  Claverack 

Klomp,  Jacob  Simonsen,  lot,  183; 
mentioned,  183 

Koninck,  Thomas,  see  Coninck, 
Thomas 


228 


Colony  of 


Koorn,  Nikolaes,  see  Coorn  (Koorn), 
Nicolaes 

Labatie  (Laberte),  Jan,  requested  to 
arrest  Fairfax,  91;  witness,  108; 
borrows  cannon  from  patroon,  128; 
refuses  to  be  ambassador  to 
Maquas  country,  129;  buys  house, 
131;  surety  for  Schuyler,  138;  at- 
tacked by  Kettelheym,  140;  to  send 
a  certain  negro  to  Gen.  Stuyvesant, 
143 ;  delivered  to  court  Stuyvesants' 
writ  of  appeal,  174;  placard  pre- 
sented by,  187;  sued  by  director, 
188 ;  cited,  188 ;  mentioned,  151 ;  ac- 
counts, 204,  209 

Lademaecker,    Philip    Pietersen     de, 

132,   137 

Lambertsen,  Jacob,  of  Dorlandt,  fined, 
25,  69,   107;  sued  by  director,  44, 
141,    154;    retracts    remarks    about 
Jochem   Keelhuyn,   46;    summoned, 
48,   194;   paid  fine,  56;  ordered  to 
satisfy  judgment,  71 ;  notice  served 
on,   71 ;    accused   of    fighting,    94 ; 
taken  into  custody,   108;  attack  on 
Claes  Andriessen,   no;  surety  for, 
in;  default  for  failing  to  appear 
in  court,   131 ;  forbidden  to  molest 
Hans  Vos,  139;  mentioned,  138,  146 
Lansing,  Aeltje,   13 
Laurenssen,  Laurens,  schepen,  8 
Lawyers,  lack  of,  156 
Leendertsen   (Glen,  Lenerts),  Sander, 
servant,  charges  against,  68;  state- 
ments  by,   68;    surety    for   actions 
against  his  servant,  70;  wife,  sued 
by  director,  87 ;  not  to  take  colonists 
to     Manhattan     without     director's 
consent,  88;   wife,   115;   cited,  162, 
195 ;    slave   accused   of   theft,    191, 
195 ;  dispute  with  Dyckman  about 
a  negress,  195 ;  accounts,  206 ;  men- 
tioned, 49,  181,  195 
Liquor,  sold  to  Indians,  97 
Litschoo,   Sergeant  Daniel,   198 
Logs,  cut  in  patroon's  wood,   135 
Loockemans,  Pieter,  sued  by  director, 
72 


Loper,  Capt.  Jacob,  62 

Louwrensen  (Appel),  Jan,  appointed 
as  surety,  34;  files  answer  in  behalf 
of  Michiel  Jansen,  44;  dispute  be- 
tween Pels  and  director  referred 
to,  81,  92;  sued  by  director,  83,  84; 
summoned,  84,  85,  86,  102;  court's 
decision,  86;  referee  in  case  of 
Jacob  Aertsen  and  Jacob  Adriaen- 
sen,  91 ;  money  due  to,  96 ;  signa- 
ture, 92;  accounts,  209 

Lubbertsen,  Frederick,  not  to  take 
colonists  to  Manhattan  without 
director's  consent,  88;  accounts, 
207,  208,  215 

Luyersen,  Jacob,  dispute  with  Jochem, 
the  baker,  167,  168;  cited,  173; 
denies  attacking  Jochem,  174;  fined, 
174;  stolen  goods  given  to,  192; 
statement  by,  193;  petition,  195 


Maessen,  Cornelis,  see  Van  Buren, 
Cornelis  Maessen 

Manhattan,  first  court  at,  9 

Maquas,  rumors  of  war  with,  127; 
resolution  to  renew  alliance  with, 
128-29;  accounts  with,  207 

Masterland,  see  Jansen,  Roelof 

Mechanics,  allowance  for  board,  95 

Megapolensis,  Rev.  Johannes,  resi- 
dence, 32,  70;  losses  by  theft,  32; 
has  Aert  Pietersen  examined  as  to 
his  matrimonial  intentions,  85 ;  son- 
in-law,  125;  slandered  by  Van 
Vechten,  149,  150;  accounts  with 
director,  159,  206;  sale  of  books, 
205 ;  leaves  colony,  with  wife  and 
children,  208;  mentioaed,  12,  15, 
41,  62,  88,  147,  208,  210 

Menten,  see  Meynten 

Meynert,  a  carpenter,  sued  by  director, 
72 

Meynten  (Menten,  Mynten),  Willem, 
attachment  against,  95 ;  debts,  96 ; 
sued  by  Jansen,  96;  ordered  to 
shoot  during  the  night,  151 ;  men- 
tioned, 114 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


229 


Michielsen,  Jan,  apostil  on  petition  of, 
28;  sued  by  director,  154;  cited, 
164,  167;  debts,  165;  cited  Uylen- 
spiegel,  173;  stolen  goods  given  to, 
191 ;  denies  charges,  193 ;  offers  to 
go  to  prison  in  lieu  of  bail,  193 ; 
petition,  195 

Mill,  Plodder's  contract,  27;  near 
Thomas  Chambers'  farm,  154 

Musch,  Cornelis,   169 

Neulewels,  Jaques,  statement  by,  68 
New  Year's  eve,  shooting,  138 
Nijssen,  Wolf,  see  Nyssen,  Wolf 
Nolden     (Noldingh),     Evert,    school 
teacher,   29;   sued   by  director,  31, 
172;  cited,   172;  punished,   172 
Nyssen,  Wolf,  executed,   12 

Oost,  Jan,  wife,  148 

Ordinances,  on  driving  patroon's 
horses,  59;  on  value  of  wampum, 
117;  concerning  shooting  at  night, 
138;  against  hauling  firewood,  176; 
listed  in  Van  Slichtenhorst  inven- 
tory, 202 

Orphans,  guardians  of,  149,  154,  175 

Otterspoor,  Aert,  accused  of  fighting, 
94,  no,  in;  surety  for  Dirck 
Hendricksen,  115;  summoned,  169, 
176;  cited  Van  Bremen,  176;  men- 
tioned, no,  113 

Paerde  hoeck  (Parda  hook),  68 

Papenakick  kill,  206 

Patroon  and  co-directors,  instructions 
received  from,  131 

Patroons,  see  Van  Rensselaer,  Jo- 
hannes ;  Van  Rensselaer,  Kiliaen 

Pauw,  Michiel,  9 

Pavonia,  9 

Peelen,  Brant,  schepen,  8;  mentioned, 
127 

Pels,  Evert,  Jacob  Adriaensen  to 
serve  out  term  with,  25;  service  of 
Quiryn  Cornelissen  with,  29;  ac- 
counts, 32,  33,  202,  204;  sued  by 
director,  33,  52,  93;  quarrel  with 
Claes  Tyssen,  33,  35,  52,  62;  sum- 


Pels,     Evert,     Jacob     Adriaensen  — 

Continued 

moned,  47,  54,  95,  96,  161,  162,  168, 
175;  servant,  48;  wife  sued  by  di- 
rector, 52 ;  notice  served  on,  54 ; 
surety  for  Jacob  Aertsen,  65,  69, 
91 ;  surety  for  Jacob  Adriaensen, 
65,  69,  91 ;  transfer  of  property  to 
Jeuriaen  Bestval,  70;  Gysbert 
Cornelissen  ordered  to  deliver  cattle 
to,  76;  sued  by  Thomas  Jansen,  80; 
animals  for  farm,  81 ;  dispute  with 
director  to  be  decided  by  referees, 
81,  93;  decision  regarding,  93;  first 
default,  96;  acknowledges  signature 
to  contract  of  farm,  100;  non- 
appearance,  117;  decision  on  dispute 
between  director  and  Stol,  145 ; 
acknowledges  signature  and  debt, 
162,  163;  cited  Hans  Jansen,  172; 
property  attached,  174;  request  for 
lot  and  horse  mill  granted,  181 ; 
mentioned,  35,  44,  50,  69,  94,  HO, 
167,  180 

Peters,  Stintgen,  wife  of  Louwerens 
Jansen,  103 

Picquet  (Picket),  Michel,  statement 
by,  10 1 

Pieter,  the  Frenchman,  see  Bosie, 
Pieter 

Pietersen,  Abraham,  see  Vosburgh, 
Abraham  Pietersen 

Pietersen,  Adriaen,  lease  of  house, 
167 

Pietersen,  Arent,  first  default,  67; 
summoned,  85 ;  payment  to,  139 

Pietersen  (Coeymans),  Barent,  sum- 
moned, 96,  97,  140;  shooting  dur- 
ing the  night,  103;  charges  against 
•by  director,  143;  case  dismissed, 
146;  mentioned,  102 

Pietersen  (Coeymans),  Lucas,  brother- 
in-law  of  Jan  Thomas,  shooting 
during  the  night,  103;  prosecuted 
for  beating  Willem  Albertsen,  177, 
178,  179,  181 ;  surety  for,  180 

Pietersen,  Reynert,  see  Both,  Reynert 
Pietersen 

Pietersen,  Tys,  ordered  to  director's 
house,  87 


230 


Colony  of 


Planck,  Jacob  Albertsen,  first  to  hold 
office  of  schout,  9;  other  offices 
held  by,  10;  not  reappointed,  10 

Poest,  Jan  Barentsen,  see  Wemp,  Jan 
'Barentsen 

Poor,  lot  belonging  to,  181 

Poulus,  the  Noorman,  see  Jansen, 
Paulus 

Poulyntje,  see  Jansen,  Paulus 

Prins,  Pieter,  witness,  108;  statement 
regarding  Indians,  no 

Quirynen,  see  Crynen 

Raden,  see  Raetspersonen 

Raetspersonen   (raden),  duties,   16 

Rechtsvrienden,  see  Gerechtspersonen 

Rensselaers  Burg,  130 

Rensselaers    Steyn,    n,   202 

Rensselaerswyck  manuscripts,  deposi- 
ted in  Albany  county  clerk's  office, 
24;  turned  over  to  State  Library, 
24;  largely  destroyed  by  fire,  24 

Reur,  Hendrick,  Jansen,  from  Mun- 
ster,  engaged  as  court  messenger, 
159;  salary,  159;  lot,  183;  exami- 
nation of,  189;  statement  by  on 
proclamation  erecting  court  of  Fort 
Orange  and  Beverwyck,  200;  men- 
tioned, 183 

Reus,  Gerrit  Theusz  de,  see  De  Reus, 
Gerrit  Theussen 

Reyersen,  Jan,  debts,  67,  176;  Jacob- 
sen  to  deliver  heifer  to,  100;  surety 
for  Ryck  Rutgersen,  108;  moneys 
in  hands  of  attached,  135,  176; 
cited,  176;  complaint  about  Claes 
Andriesen,  177;  mentioned,  101 

Reyntgen,  the  skipper,  see  Both,  Rey- 
nert  Pietersen 

Roelofs,  Catrina,  53 

Roelofs,  Sytje,  53 

Rutgersen,  Ryck,  attacked  by  Davits, 
107;  surety  for,  108;  sells  lumber, 
109;  grain  appraised  by,  124; 
moneys  in  hands  of  attached,  135 ; 
money  due  to,  176;  cited,  177,  187; 
judgment  against,  177;  ordered  to 
comply  with  ordinance,  181 

Rutten  kill,  54 


Ruyverdingh  (Ruerdingh),  Pieter,  de- 
livers to  court  Stuyvesant's  writ 
of  appeal,  174;  placard  presented 
by,  187 ;  placard  posted  by,  pro- 
claiming erection  of  court  of  Fort 
Orange  and  Beverwyck,  199 

Sabbath,  observance,  16 

iSanders,  Catalyn,  wife  of  Sander 
Leendertsen  Glen,  115;  summoned, 
195;  statements  by,  68,  192,  197 

Sandersen,  Thomas,  permission  to 
settle  here,  118;  wife,  120;  cited, 
184;  sued  by  director,  184;  fine 
reduced,  187 

Savary  (Savery),  Roelandt,  sued  by 
director,  72;  witness,  158;  accounts, 
208 

Saw  mill,  request  to  erect  mill  near 
Beeren  island  granted,  169 

Schepens,  designated  by  patroon,  7; 
to  be  appointed  by  Planck,  9 

Schermerhoorn,  see  Van  Schermer- 
horn 

School,  29;  petition  to  keep  day  and 
night  school,  173 

'Schoolmaster,  committee  appointed  to 
engage,  174 

Schout,  original  appointee,  7;  first  to 
hold  office,  9 

Schuyler  (Scheuller),  Philip  Pieter- 
sen, 13 ;  dispute  with  Steven  Jansen, 
132,  133;  arrested,  133;  requests 
permission  to  go  outside  jail  limits, 
133 ;  requests  delay,  137 ;  quotes  Mr 
Dyckman's  remarks  about  Van 
Slichtenhorst,  197 ;  father-in-law, 
197;  mentioned,  193 

Schuyler,  Pieter  Davidsen,  13;  wife, 
148 

Schuyler  Flatts,  30 

Seawan,  depreciation,  117,  118,  155, 
216.  See  also  Wampum 

Segersen,  Claes,  contract  with  di- 
rector, 88;  surety  for  Gysbert 
Cornelissen,  108;  grain  attached, 
156;  accounts,  156;  property  at- 
tached, 174;  cited,  176.  See  also 
Segersen,  Cornelis 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


231 


Segersen,  Cornells,  Jacob  Adriaensen 
in  service  to,  25 ;  ordered  to  pay 
Reyer  Stoffelsen,  28;  attachment  of 
money  in  hands  of,  29;  attachment 
against  vacated,  32;  derogatory  re- 
marks about  de  Vos,  32 ;  derogatory 
remarks  about  Poest,  35,  89; 
acknowledges  signature,  55 ;  wheat 
in  hands  of  attached,  61,  81,  82; 
request  to  be  released  by  court,  68 ; 
to  take  boy  into  service,  69;  dis- 
pute with  Willem  de  Key,  69; 
requests  arrest  of  de  Key,  69; 
accounts,  71 ;  horse  sold  by,  81 ; 
ordered  to  deliver  wheat,  83;  sum- 
moned, 83,  88,  89,  90,  95,  101,  106, 
156;  farmer,  86;  sued  for  slander, 
89;  lease  of  farms,  90;  granted  a 
lot,  90 ;  canceled,  91 ;  first  default, 
96;  to  pay  director,  106;  account  to 
be  examined,  106;  grain  attached, 
107;  sued  by  director,  154;  granted 
a  delay,  155 ;  promises  to  deliver 
wheat,  155;  requests  that  case  be 
referred  to  impartial  judges,  157; 
attachment  against,  161 ;  refuses  to 
pay  debt,  and  deliver  grain,  197. 
198 ;  punished,  198 ;  to  deliver  grain 
to  Cornelisen,  198;  accounts,  204, 
206;  boy,  212;  sons,  212;  men- 
tioned, 43,  44,  102 

Ship  de  Princes,  79 

Ship  Soutberg,  8 

Ship  Valckenier,  78 

Shooting  at  night,  ordinance  concern- 
ing, 138 

Skippers,  not  to  take  colonists  to 
Manhattan  without  director's  con- 
sent, 88;  not  to  transport  goods  of 
persons  in  arrears  to  patroon,  102 

Slichtenhorst,  Brant,  see  Van 
Slichtenhorst,  Brant  Aertsen 

Smith,  Jan,  see  Jan,  the  smith 

Solder,  see  Pietersen,  Aert 

Soutberg,  ship,  8 

Stads  Herberg  (City  Tavern),  27 

Staets  (Staas),  Abraham,  commis- 
sioner, 16 ;  offices  held  by,  17 ;  levy 
on  property,  87 ;  bail  for  appearance 


Staets      (Staas),      Abraham  —  Con- 
tinued 

of  wife  of  Sander  Leendersen,  87 ; 
decision  on  dispute  between  director 
and  Stol,  145;  fighting  with  Dirck- 
sen,  152;  placards  presented  by, 
187;  answer  to  request  for  cannon 
signed  by,  187;  accounts,  204,  208, 
212 ;  mentioned,  49,  62,  91 

Stevensen  (Stevens),  Abraham,  ac- 
cused of  fighting,  94;  summoned, 
101,  102,  113,  134;  shooting  during 
the  night,  103,  104,  105;  lease  of 
meadow,  105;  charges  against,  no, 
in;  surety  for,  114;  default  for 
failing  to  appear  in  court,  131 ; 
ordered  to  produce  witnesses,  131 ; 
admits  fighting,  138;  drinking,  139 

Stichtigeri,  an  Indian,  132,  166 

Stoffelsen,  Reyer,  payment  to  by 
Cornelis  Segersen,  28;  accounts, 
209;  mentioned,  49 

Stol  (Hap),  Jacob  Jan  sen,  first  de- 
fault, 40;  complaint  against  Jan 
Van  Bremen,  58 ;  fined,  82 ;  bail  for 
appearance  of  wife  of  Sander 
Leendersen,  87;  not  to  take 
colonists  to  Manhattan  without 
director's  consent,  88;  slandered  by 
Juriaensen,  88;  wife  slandered  by 
Juriaensen,  88;  statement  concern- 
ing Maquas,  127;  arrested,  134; 
charges  against,  135 ;  sued  by 
director,  135;  succeeded  Harry 
Albertsen  as  ferry  master,  135; 
fined,  136;  to  give  security  for 
satisfaction  of  judgment  or  sen- 
tence, 137 ;  dispute  with  director 
about  Hendrick  Albertsen's  con- 
tract, 144;  delivered  to  court 
Stuyvesant's  writ  of  appeal,  174; 
placards  presented  by,  187 ;  answer 
to  request  for  cannon  signed  by, 
187 ;  cited,  191 ;  first  default,  191 ; 
mentioned,  29,  133,  193 

Stol,  Willem  Jansen,  sued  by  director, 
72 

Stuyvesant,  Nicholas  William,  wife, 
148 


232 


Colony  of  Remselaerstvyclt 


Stuyvesant,  Peter,  controversy  with 
Van  Slichtenhorst,  17 ;  proclama- 
tion of  day  of  fasting  and  prayer, 
30;  protection  promised  Rutger 
Jacobsen  from,  54;  nephew,  72; 
horse  sold  to,  81 ;  protests  against 
taking  possession  of  Catskill,  106; 
letter  from  director  to  on  settle- 
ment of  Catskill,  116;  ordinance 
regulating  wampum,  117;  director 
consents  to  certain  requests  of,  143; 
signs  writ  of  appeal,  174;  placard 
from,  Mr  Dyckman  proposes  to 
post,  184-85,  188;  claims  ground 
around  Fort  Orange,  185 ;  orders 
flag  of  colony  hauled  down,  198; 
accounts,  205 ;  mentioned,  102,  196, 

211 

Swart,  Gerard,  officer  of  justice,  19 

Taverns,  director   requests   that   but 

two  be  allowed,   162 
Teller    (Teyller),   Willem,  complaint 

against  Chambers,   98;    mentioned. 

<M 

Teunis,  the  servant,  103 

Teunissen,  Claes,  see  Uylenspiegel, 
Claes  Teunissen 

Teunissen  (Theunisen,  Toenisen), 
Cornells,  from  Breuckelen,  com- 
missioner, 10;  accounts,  26,  27,  29, 
32,  33,  71,  204;  appeals  from  de- 
cision of  court,  32 ;  gives  up  lease 
of  farm,  71 ;  requests  (delay  in 
case,  71,  73;  accuses  Slichtenhorst 
of  changing  contract,  72;  sum- 
moned, 84,  85,  86,  113;  order  is- 
sued to  regarding  Tys  Pietersen, 
87 ;  notice  served  on,  108 ;  to  renew 
alliance  with  Maquas,  129;  garden 
sold  with  his  consent,  158;  debts, 
163;  mentioned,  35,  47,  48,  52,  105, 
119,  127,  143,  149,  202 

Teunissen,  Cornelis,  see  also  Van 
Westbroeck,  Cornelis  Teunissen 

Teunissen,  Jeuriaen,  glazier,  lot,  181 ; 
mentioned.  183 

Teunissen,  Joost,  from  Norden.  dis- 
pute with  Bronck,  159;  fined,  160 


Teunissen,  Pieter,  wheat,  96;  farm, 
115;  land  at  Catskill,  183;  cited, 
186,  187;  judgment  against,  189; 
accounts,  209 

Teyller,  Willem,  see  Teller,   Willem 

Theusz,  Gerrit,  see  De  Reus,  Gerrit 
Theussen 

Thomassen  (Tomensen),  Jan,  re- 
marks about  Claes  Tyssen,  30;  con- 
tract about  building  house,  31 ;  con- 
tract canceled  by  director,  70 ;  sum- 
moned, 83,  84;  accounts  with  pa- 
troon,  155 ;  brother-in-law,  177,  178, 
179,  180,  181 ;  dispute  with  director, 
184;  case  submitted  to  referees, 
188;  cites  Uylenspiegel,  191;  ac- 
counts, 206;  mentioned,  195 

Thomassen,  Paulus,  cited,  182;  ad- 
mits debts,  182;  land  at  Catskill, 

183 

Thymensen,   Reynier,  50 

Toenys,  Jacob,  attempt  to  arrest,  64, 
66,  67 

Toepacht,  15,  96,  148,  150 

Trading  house,  62,  74 

Tyssen  (Tysschen),  Claes,  remarks 
concerning,  30,  35 ;  beaten  by  Evert 
Pels,  33,  35,  47;  wages,  47;  Pels 
ordered  to  pay,  52,  54,  63 ;  accounts 
with  Van  der  Donck,  82;  decision 
regarding  dispute  with  Pels,  93 ; 
payments  to,  117;  accounts,  213; 
mentioned,  32,  33 

Tyssen,  Jan,  summoned,  134 

Uyl,  den  (Stichtigeri),  an  Indian, 
131,  132,  166 

Uylenspiegel,  Claes  Teunissen.  denies 
calling  Claes  Tysschen  an  informer, 
30;  sued  by  director,  30,  50;  speed- 
ing horses,  46.  47,  51 ;  fined.  46,  52 ; 
director  demands  he  be  banished 
from  colony.  51;  accounts,  157; 
cited,  161,  162,  164,  172,  173,  I9i; 
debts,  191 

Valckenier,  ship,  78 
Van  Alckmaer,  Adriaen  Pietersen,  see 
Pietersen,  Adriaen 


Court  Minutes,  1 648-1 652 


233 


Van  Bremen,  Jan  Dircksen,  fined,  28, 
58;  account  of,  28;  accusation 
against,  29;  dispute  with  Vos,  57, 
58;  complaint  against  by  Stol,  58; 
to  have  copy  of  director's  com- 
plaint, 63;  horses,  76;  money  due 
to,  83;  debts,  84;  money  in  hands 
of  attached,  84;  complaint  about 
assault,  93;  farm,  102;  attacked  by 
Davits,  107;  fighting  with  Croaet, 
no,  in;  statement  about  fighting, 
114;  grain  of,  124;  to  serve  notice 
on  Dirck  Hendricksen,  139;  com- 
plaints against  Kettelheym,  140; 
cited,  176,  186,  187,  189;  land  at 
Catskill,  183;  acknowledges  signa- 
ture to  contract,  187;  judgment 
against,  189;  accounts,  204,  209, 
211,  212;  mentioned,  109,  no,  131, 

159 
Van  Breuckelen,   Cornells  Teunissen, 

see  Teunissen,  'Cornelis 

Van  Bruggen,  Carel,  see  Verbrugge, 
Carel 

Van  Buren,  Cornelis  Maessen,  48 ;  ad- 
ministrators of  estate,  145;  guard- 
ians of  minor  children,  149,  154, 
175;  accounts,  202;  accounts  with 
guardians  of  children,  204;  men- 
tioned, 176 

Van  Curler  (Korler,  Corlaer),  Arent, 
sent  out  as  assistant  to  Planck,  10; 
commissioner,  10;  offices  held  by, 
17;  allowance  for  board  of  me- 
chanics, 95;  horses,  100;  to  renew 
alliance  with  Maquas,  129;  accepts 
office  of  commissioner,  137;  de- 
cision regarding  New  Year  shoot- 
ers, 138;  signature,  144,  174,  185, 
186,  217,  218;  decision  on  dispute 
between  director  and  Stol,  145 ;  wit- 
ness, 158;  supervision  of  school, 
174;  money  in  hands  of  attached, 
175 ;  referee  in  case  of  Jan 
Thomassen,  188;  books,  202;  letter 
to  Johan  van  Rensselaer,  217;  men- 
tioned, 15,  16,  43,  156,  157,  186, 
193,  213 


Van  den  Bogaert,  Harmen  Meyndert- 
sen,  pursuit  by  Vos,  105 

Van  der  Donck,  Adriaen,  commis- 
sioned officer  of  justice,  10;  suc- 
cessor to,  ii ;  patroon's  letter  to, 
12;  debts,  29,  82;  to  collect  money 
for  Hans  Vos,  32;  petition  pre- 
sented by,  60;  dispute  with  Di- 
rector regarding  payment  for  ani- 
mals, 61;  insulted  by  Jacob  Aert- 
sen,  67;  horse  drowned,  68;  wheat 
attached,  61,  76,  77,  82;  court  de- 
cision concerning  wheat,  78;  sells 
interest  in  farm,  78;  to  leave  the 
colony,  78;  sued  de  Hooges,  78; 
agreement  with  Van  Slichtenhorst 
regarding  dispute,  79;  dispute  be- 
tween Pels  and  Director  referred 
to,  81,  92;  may  not  receive  or  un- 
load wheat,  81 ;  attachment  against 
by  Claes  Tyssen,  82;  sued  by  di- 
rector, 84;  referee  in  case  of  Jacob 
Aertsen  and  Jacob  Adriaensen,  91 ; 
signature,  92;  accounts,  206;  men- 
tioned, 28,  130,  214 

Van  der  Schuer,  Pieter,  15,  19 

Van  Dorlandt,  Jacob  Lambertsen,  see 
Lambertsen,  Jacob 

Van  Es,  Cornelis  Hendricksen,  see 
Van  Nes,  Cornelis  Hendricksen 

Van  Hoesen,  Jan,  complains  against 
Jeuriaensen,  119;  wife  slandered, 
119;  Jeuriaensen's  contract  with, 
174;  granted  lot  of  Jeuriaensen, 
181 ;  injunction  issued  to,  regarding 
Wesselsen,  182;  mentioned,  182 

Van  Ilpendam,  Adriaen  Jansen, 
schoolmaster,  witness,  132;  petition 
of,  173;  day  and  night  school,  173 

Van  Leyden,  Adriaen  Jansen,  see  Jan- 
sen,  Adriaen,  from  Leyden 

Van  Munnickendam,  Pieter  Cornelis- 
sen,  see  Cornelissen,  Pieter 

Van  Nes  (Es,  Essen),  Cornells 
Hendricksen,  sued  by  director,  33, 
41,  45,  73',  and  wife  sued  by  di- 
director,  33,  44;  arrest  of  Quiry- 
nen  at  request  of,  35;  first  default, 


234 


Colony  of 


Van     Nes     (Es,     Essen),     Cornelis 

Hendricksen  —  Continued 
40;  fined,  42;  testimony  about  to 
be  given,  48 ;  slandered  director,  53 ; 
regrets  using  slanderous  language, 
54;  contract  regarding  farm,  56;  in- 
junction served  on,  57;  statement 
regarding,  58;  surety  for  59;  wed- 
ding of  daughters,  67 ;  asked  to  pay 
bond,  73 ;  bond  signed  by,  73 ;  Hans 
Vos  to  watch  property,  74,  105 ; 
summoned,  roi,  105 ;  declaration  of 
regarding  drowned  horses,  203 ;  ac- 
counts, 204;  mentioned,  76,  113,  202 

Van  Rensselaer,  Jan  Baptist,  director, 
19;  appointed  magistrate,  166;  sig- 
nature, 185,  186;  referee  in  case  of 
Jan  Thomassen,  188;  Mr  Dyck- 
man's  remarks  about,  197 ;  statement 
by  on  proclamation  erecting  court 
of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck, 
200 ;  mentioned,  186,  193 

Van  'Rensselaer,  Johannes,  guard- 
ians, n,  26,  184;  second  patroon, 
117,  118;  death,  20;  instructions  re- 
ceived from,  131 ;  exhibits  in  Van 
Slichtenhorst's  suit  against,  201, 
203 ;  letter  to  from  Van  Curler,  217 

Van  Rensselaer,  Kiliaen,  court 
erected  by,  7;  memorial  presented 
to  the  West  India  company,  8; 
date  of  death,  n,  118;  succeeded  as 
patroon  by  his  eldest  son  Johan- 
nes, II,  26 

Van  Schaick,  Gerrit,   13 

Van  Schaick,  Goosen  Gerritsen,  see 
Gerritsen,  Goosen 

Van  Schelluyne,  Dirck,  attorney  for 
Michiel  Jansen,  169;  to  act  as 
referee,  170;  signature,  172 

Van  Schermerhorn,  Jacob  Jansen, 
sued  by  director,  72 ;  arrested,  101 ; 
produce  from  garden  sold  to,  158 

Van  Schoonderwoert,  Rutger  Jacob- 
sen,  see  Jacobsen,  Rutger 

Van  Slichtenhorst,  Aeltje,  or  Alida, 
13,  148 

Van  Slichtenhorst,  Arend,  historian, 
13,  20,  201,  203 


Van  Slichtenhorst,  Bata,  148 
Van  Slichtenhorst,  Brant  Aertsen, 
recommended  for  schout,  9;  suc- 
ceeds Van  der  Donck,  1 1 ;  appointed 
director  of  colony,  n,  203;  arrival 
in  colony,  13;  sketch  of,  13-14; 
wife,  13,  15;  children,  13;  contro- 
versy with  Stuyvesant,  17;  protests 
against  erection  of  court  of  Fort 
Orange  and  Beverwyck,  19;  ar- 
rested, 19;  returns  to  the  Nether- 
lands, 19;  actions  against  the  pa- 
troon, 20;  completes  historical  work 
of  his  son  Arend,  20;  death,  20; 
character,  20;  his  claim  to  being 
called  the  founder  of  Albany,  21- 
23 ;  entries  by  in  court  record,  24 ; 
protest  against  Stuyvesant's  proc- 
lamation of  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer,  30;  signature,  36,  39,  53, 
54,  74,  88,  132,  174,  185,  186;  state- 
ment about  Claes  Gerritsen,  43; 
slandered  by  Van  Nes,  53 ;  promises 
to  indemnify  Rutger  Jacobsen,  54 ; 
to  release  grain  attached  by  him, 
60;  son,  64,  66;  garden,  75;  deci- 
sion on  Van  der  Donck's  wheat,  81 ; 
requested  to  render  his  account  to 
the  commissioners,  114;  refused  to 
let  de  Hooges  have  custody  of 
court  records,  120;  investigation  of 
authenticity  of  letter  to  Vastrick, 
125;  accused  of  violence,  164;  ar- 
rest, 107,  201 ;  inventory  of  effects 
taken  at  house  of,  201-3;  exhibits 
in  his  suit  against  Johan  van  Rens- 
selaer, 201,  203;  account  of  re- 
ceipts and  disbursements  by,  203- 
17;  mentioned,  13,  31,  54,  119,  157 
Van  Slichtenhorst,  Elizabeth,  148. 
Van  Slichtenhorst,  Gerrit,  director's 
son,  13,  15,  66,  197;  children,  148 
Van  Slichtenhorst,  Gerrit,  director's 

grandson,  148 
Van  Slichtenhorst,  Goudje,  or  Hille- 

gonda,  13,  15,  148 

Van   Slichtenhorst,   Margaret,   13,   15 
Van   Slichtenhorst,   Rachel,   148 
Van  Slichtenhorst,  Yonde,  148 


Court  Minutes,  1648-1652 


235 


Van  Slyck,  Cornells,  see  Teunissen, 
Cornelis,  from  Breuckekn 

Van  Stoutenburch,  Jacob  Jansen,  see 
Jansen,  Jacob,  from  Stoutenburch 

Van  Tienhoven,  Cornelis,  secretary, 
signature,  60 

Van  Twiller,  Jan  (Johannes),  offices 
held  by,  17;  mark  as  witness,  74; 
decision  on  Van  der  Donck's  wheat, 
81 ;  sells  horse  to  Gen.  Stuyvesant, 
81 ;  signature,  81 ;  opinion  regard- 
ing loss  of  horse,  114;  witness, 
115;  examination  of  seawan,  118; 
court  records  delivered  to,  120; 
charges  for  board,  124;  statement 
by  on  proclamation  erecting  court 
of  Fort  Orange  and  Beverwyck, 
200;  accounts,  215;  mentioned,  84, 
119,  126 

Van  Twiller,  Wouter,  arrival  at  New 
Amsterdam,  8;  letter  of  patroon  to, 
9;  guardian  for  Johannes  van 
Rensselaer,  n,  26;  mentioned,  14, 

125 

Van  Valckenburgh,  Lambert,  193; 
sued  by  director,  72 

Van  Vechten,  Teunis  Dircksen,  see 
Dircksen,  Teunis 

Van  Voorhout,  Cornelis  Cornelisen, 
summoned,  134,  138,  173,  175;  sued 
by  director,  140 ;  debts,  161 ;  prop- 
erty attached,  174;  accounts,  212 

Van  Voorhout,  Cornelis  Segersen, 
see  Segersen,  Cornelis 

Van  Vorst,  Cornelis,  9 

Van  Wassenaer,   Nicolaes,   quoted,   9 

Van  Wely,  Johan,  guardian  for  Jo- 
hannes van  Rensselaer,  II,  26 

Van  Wenckum,  Aeltje,  wife  of  Van 
Slichtenhorst,  13;  death,  15 

Van  Wenckum  (Wencom),  Gerrit, 
Van  Slichtenhorst's  assistant,  II ; 
record  partly  in  his  handwriting, 
24;  director's  nephew,  66;  assaulted 
by  drunken  Indian,  97;  to  renew 
alliance  with  Maquas,  129;  exami- 
nation of,  189;  paid  for  copying, 
211,  214;  salary  as  deputy  sheriff, 
213;  mentioned,  15 


Van  Westbroeck,  Cornelis  Teunissen, 
forbidden  to  carry  on  unlawful 
trade,  70;  surety  for  Jacob  Lam- 
bertsen,  in;  denies  slandering  Vos, 
113;  ordered  to  send  Jan  Hagemans 
away,  118;  sued  by  director,  145, 
154;  guardian  of  minor  children  of 
Cornelis  Maessen,  149,  175;  surety 
for  Aert  Jacobsen,  154;  cited  Aert- 
sen,  175 ;_  cited,  176,  177,  192; 
judgment,  176;  director's  complaint 
against,  178;  debts,  179;  granted 
delay,  180;  offers  security  for  judg- 
ment, 181 ;  replication  of  director 
against,  194;  accounts,  205 

Vasterick,  Gerrit,  to  appear  in  court, 
84;  examination  of  seawan,  118; 
letter  to,  concerning  a  minister, 
Grasmeer,  125 ;  accusations  against, 
126;  gold  sold  to,  141;  witness, 
158;  summons  Pels,  168;  accounts, 
207,  213;  mentioned,  119 

Vasterick,  Robert,  surety  for  Lucas 
and  Aryen,  180;  cited,  180;  state- 
ment about  Mr  Dyckman,  197 

Verbeeck,  Jan,  office  of  raet  held  by, 
17;  apostil  on  petition  of,  28; 
debts,  40;  servant  of,  64,  66,  67; 
sues  Dircksen,  131 ;  nominated  as 
magistrate,  137;  to  take  oath  of 
office,  140;  admitted  as  member  of 
the  court,  141;  accounts,  157,  204; 
signature,  186;  mentioned,  64,  67, 
84,  144,  IS2,  157,  192,  193 

Verbeeck,  Marten  Hendricksen,  de- 
mand for  payment  of  accounts,  31; 
ordered  to  pay  Willem  Frederick- 
sen,  31;  cited,  161,  162;  acknowl- 
edges signature  and  debt,  162,  163; 
lot,  183 

Verbrugge  (Van  Bruggen),  Carel, 
protests  against  taking  possession 
of  Catskill,  106,  108;  commissary 
of  Fort  Orange,  131 ;  accounts,  204 ; 
mentioned,  101 

Vlackte,  de,  farm,  95 

Vol   (Fulda),  in  Hessen,  12 


236 


Colony  of  Rensselaerstvycfc 


Vos,  Cornells  Cornelissen,  farm,  59; 
forbidden  to  carry  on  unlawful 
trade,  70 ;  summoned,  141 ;  servant, 
177,  178,  179,  181;  accounts,  205 

Vos,  Hans,  request  concerning  Quiryn 
Cornelissen,  27;  attachment  of 
money,  29;  ordered  to  complete 
term  of  service,  31 ;  money  due  to, 
32;  contract  of  service  with  Pieter 
Claessen,  47;  beating,  48;  sum- 
moned, 51 ;  dismissed  until  after 
harvest  time,  54;  court  messenger, 
55;  dispute  with  Van  Bremen,  57; 
attacked  by  Van  Bremen,  58; 
slandered  by  Koorn,  61 ;  fighting 
with  Chambers,  62 ;  ordered  to  watch 
property  of  Van  Es  and  Claessen, 
74;  payment  of  wages  to,  74; 
ordered  to  levy  animals  for  Evert 
Pels,  81 ;  assault  on,  82 ;  wages, 
84;  summons  issued  by,  84; 
slandered  by  Segersen,  89;  pay- 
ments to,  92;  payments  to  by  Pels, 
93 ;  testifies,  97 ;  granted  money  for 
supervision  of  house,  105 ;  money 
for  pursuit  of  fugitive,  105 ; 
attached  grain,  107;  testimony 
regarding  Dirck  Hendricksen,  no; 
slandered,  113;  accounts,  123,  205, 
208;  attacked  by  Stol,  135,  136; 
complaint  about  Hendricksen,  138; 
protection  from  assault,  139;  in- 
sulted by  Lambertsen,  142:  men- 
tioned, 28,  64,  67,  68,  69,  82,  83, 
103,  140 

Vosburgh,  Abraham  Pietersen,  at- 
tacked by  Stol,  136;  to  act  as 
referee,  160;  accounts,  207 

Vossgen,  Cornells,  see  Vos,  Cornell's 
Cornelissen 


Waelingen,  Jacob,  offered  lease  of 
farm,  115;  refused  to  accept  offer 
of  half  of  Casteels  island,  130; 


Waelingen,  Jacob  — Continued 
granted    permission    to    leave    the 
colony,   130 

Waelingen  (Walichsen),  Simon,  48; 
money  due  to  Hans  Vos,  32 

Wampum,  ordinance  regulating  value 
of  approved,  117.  See  also  Seawan 

Weble,  Jan,  173.  See  also  Wemp, 
Jan  Barentsen 

Welys  Burch,  130 

Wemp,  Jan  Barentsen,  slandered  by 
Segersen,  35,  89;  requests  clemency 
for  servant,  112;  to  pay  fines  of 
Claes  Andriessen,  113;  attachment 
of  moneys,  135 ;  requested  to  haul 
logs,  142;  garden,  158;  lease  ex- 
tended, 166;  condemned  for  haul- 
ing firewood,  176;  complaint  about 
Claes  Andriessen,  177;  lot,  183; 
cattle,  183;  accounts,  206,  210,  212; 
mentioned,  74,  109.  See  also 
Weble,  Jan 

Wendel,  Evert  Jansen,  see  Jansen, 
Evert 

Wesselsen  (Wessels),  Jochem,  re- 
quests a  lot,  164;  dispute  with 
Luyersen,  167,  168,  174;  cited,  173, 
182;  fined,  174;  injunction  issued, 
182 

Westerkamp,  Hendrick,  permission 
to  support  himself  in  the  colony, 
25;  wheat  for,  147;  condemned  for 
hauling  firewood,  176;  brickyard, 
194 ;  accounts,  205 ;  mentioned,  168 

Westval,  Juriaen,  see  Bestval,  Juriaen 

Willems,  Margariet,  87 

Willemsen.  Adriaen,  sentence  of 
banishment,  12 

Willemstadt,  IQ.  23.  See  also  Bever- 
wyck 

Wiltwyck,  22 

Witbeck,  Jan  Thomassen,  see 
Thomas  sen,  Jan 

Wolves,  100 

Whiting  (Wytingh),  William,  39 


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